Investigating work processes to manage noise exposure for crew members on-board fishing vessels

Abstract

Occupational noise exposure is a major health hazard on fishing vessels and can cause noise-induced hearing loss in crew members. Previous studies have suggested different solutions to mitigate noise exposure, such as the use of hearing protections in accordance with relevant standards, the increase of insulation of on board spaces, and the insulation and structural decoupling of acoustic sources. The current study identifies human factors that cause high-level noise during whelk and crab fishing operations. The daily noise exposure levels of the workers are highly impacted by job tasks characterized by hazardous noise levels. In this work, the Functional Resonance Analysis Method (FRAM) is used to model the fishing operations. Connecting the FRAM model to the noise contribution of each task can help to find the job tasks that could lead to high noise exposure. The methodology presented in this study uses the FRAM and the task-based noise measurement method to (a) examine the feasibility of administrative controls to mitigate noise exposure of fish harvesters during fishing operations, and (b) identify human factors responsible for high noise levels on board fishing vessels. Work pattern modifications are suggested that can be helpful to reduce impact noise during whelk and crab fishing.