Substantiation of risk-oriented hygienic criteria and classification of working conditions by noise, taking into account the group attributive (excessive) risk of hearing loss

Abstract

Introduction. Revision of the "Guidelines for the hygienic assessment of factors of the working environment and the labor process. Criteria and classification of working conditions" R 2.2.2006-05 determined the relevance of improving hygienic criteria and classification of working conditions, including noise, based on a risk-based approach. The study aims to substantiate risk-oriented hygienic criteria and classification of working conditions by noise, taking into account the group attributive (excessive) risk of hearing loss. Materials and methods. The researchers carried out an expert-analytical study and calculations of the attributive risk of hearing loss under the influence of noise. The authors used a technology (ARHL) according to the model of the third edition of the ISO 1999 standard. We performed the calculation of ARHL using several variants of the average values of hearing thresholds at various combinations of audiometric frequencies. Results. Scientists have substantiated a risk-oriented criteria and classification of working conditions depending on noise levels, taking into account the equal energy rule (q=3) and the data of the group attributive risk of hearing loss. Conclusion. We substantiated a risk-oriented hygienic criteria and classification of working conditions by noise, harmonizing the hygienic assessment of the noise risk factor with international practice. Ethics. In preparing the article, the authors guided by the Ethical principles of medical research set out in the Helsinki Declaration of the World Medical Association of the last revision. Limitation of studies. There are the features of the model for assessing hearing loss due to noise exposure according to GOST R ISO 1999:2013.