Success Factors for Complying with the Law on Hearing Conservation Measures

Abstract

Loud noise is considered to be a major problem affecting the quality of life of working people. Therefore, the Ministry of Labour has enacted a new law on hearing conservation measures. The purpose of this survey research were: (1) to examine the situation  of implementing hearing conservation measures of enterprises in Thailand, and (2) to identify success factors for implementing hearing conservation measures in accordance with the law.

The research participants were 111 officers who responsible for hearing conservation measures of the enterprises in Thailand and registered to attended the training course on "Establishing legal hearing conservation measures" through the Office of Occupational Safety, Ministry of Labour. The data were collected using a questionnaire developed by the researcher from the analysis of legislation on hearing conservation measures. The content validation of the questionnaire by experts was considered as 0.95.

The research results were as follows: (1) 61% of establishments had a working condition with a loud noise level in the criteria of hearing conservation measures, and 55% had implemented hearing conservation measures. Most of these establishments (82%) had assigned safety officers at professional level to be responsible for hearing conservation measures., and (2) 20% of establishments were able to comply with 80% or more of the law. Most of the participants stated that the first factor in success of hearing protection measures was the policy and support of the top executives, followed by the knowledge and understanding of the relevant personnel. , And the cooperation and participation of employees, respectively.