Excessive noise is an occupational hazard with many adverse effects, that may impair worker’s efficiency and lead to temporary or permanent hearing damage not only to the workers involved with noisy operations but also to those around them. This study sought to examine Intervention Strategies for the Prevention of Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) for workers in Woodwork Settings in the Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon. The specific objective of the study sought to investigate the extent to which the practical use of noise safety practices protects the objective hearing threshold levels of woodworkers to prevent NIHL. The study employed a mixed method approach (sequential explanatory) where quantitative data was preceded by qualitative data. A quasi-experimental design was embedded into the rigorous explanatory mixed method design. A combination design which consisted of a Pre-test and Post Test Design with Non-Randomized Experimental and Control Groups was utilized. The sample of the study constituted (175) participants (160 wood workers and 15 administrators) drawn from50 woodwork processing settings in Limbe, Buea and Tiko Sub Divisions; through a Multistage sampling technique. Data were collected using questionnaire, observation checklist, interview guide and audiograms. The sample for the quasi experiment constituted (20) participants wood workers drawn from four woodwork processing settings in Buea Sub Division drawn through a Multistage sampling technique. The quantitative data derived for the study were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 23.0) with the aid of descriptive and inferential statistics. The descriptive statistical tools used were frequency count and percentages bar charts and Ling graphs. The Pearson (parametric test) was used in testing the hypotheses. The normality assumption of the data was tested using the Kolmogorov-Smirnovtest. The findings for Hypothesis one showed a significant and positive relationship between the use of noise safety practices and the protection of the hearing threshold levels of workers exposed to occupational noise in woodwork settings (R= 0.780**, P=0.000, < 0.05). The positivity of this relationship is supported by a high explanatory power of 90.2% (Pseudo R-Square).The positivity of the relationship above reveal that when noise safety practices are adequately used at wood work settings, hearing threshold levels are significantly protected thus, the occurrence of NIHL loss is significantly prevented .The study thus recommends that effective measures be put in place to curb work related injury (hearing loss) rate by enhancing health and safety promotion programmes with emphasis on noise safety and training for newly recruited workers, respect for engineering and administrative control, provision of workers with suitable hearing protection devices, hearing health surveillance as well as rendering other accompanying noise safety Practices. The researcher finally proposed further research in same and related content area to get a deeper insight on this content and a lasting solution in occupations.
noise safety practices, intervention strategy protection of the hearing threshold, workers exposed to occupational noise, woodwork settings
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