Aplicación de mapeo de ruido, audiometría y análisis de la carga postural para los conductores de la unidad de gestión de transporte de la Escuela Superior Politécnica de Chimborazo

Abstract

The degree project entitled “APPLICATION OF NOISE MAPPING, AUDIOMETRY AND POSTURAL LOAD ANALYSIS FOR DRIVERS OF THE TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT UNIT OF THE ESCUELA SUPERIOR POLITÉCNICA DE CHIMBORAZO”, located in Chimborazo province, aimed to evaluate the noise level, apply audiometry and analyze the postural load. The development started with the study of the driver's work situation, for which interviews and a Nordic questionnaire were chosen. Noise mapping was then carried out and noise values were monitored for two weeks, using a sound level meter as a measuring instrument. The results were that 94% are exposed to a noise level of 50-79 dB and 6% are exposed to more than 80 dB. Subsequently, the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) method was applied in order to observe and evaluate the forced postures in the driver's daily work, where a score of 5 with a medium risk level was obtained for 16 drivers, while 1 driver obtained a score of 3. Finally, audiometries were carried out using an otoscope operated by professionals from the ESPOCH Medical Centre who, using different evaluation techniques, determined the driver's hearing problem and the clinical treatments to be followed. The results showed that 3 drivers had moderate, severe mixed and mild bilateral hearing loss, which represents 18%. However, 14 people do not have any hearing impairment and this corresponds to 82 % of the drivers. It is recommended that a committee be set up within the Health and Safety at Work Unit to be responsible for the periodic noise assessment of drivers, as well as monitoring the ergonomic rules on basic postures.