The Department of Community Health Studies at the Durban University of Technology (DUT) is conducting an Occupational Noise Measurement and Effects Training Workshop, with 25 delegates from the University, Community Health Department and African Union delegates from Zambia, Malawi, Lesotho, Mozambique and South Africa.
The delegates are mostly Senior Occupational Hygienists with qualifications such as Environmental Health, Geology, Mining Engineering and Occupational Health Nursing. The duration of the course is five (5) days, which commenced from Monday the 5th December 2022 and ending on Friday the 9th December 2022.
The training course offered at the workshop is a highly technical module of the Occupational Hygiene Training Association (OHTA); which is carried out under the auspices of Sedulitas, a professional Occupational Hygiene Training company, in partnership with the Durban University of Technology (DUT) and the University of Witwatersrand.
The purpose of the workshop is to train Community Health Studies students jointly with international students and delegates from the African Union, in the nature of noise hazards in the workplace and the effects of noise on workers. It includes the carrying out of noise assessments in the workplace and in the general environment, and to determine the significance of measurement data in relation to the various standards and legislation for compliance.
The course attendees are Mrs Patricia Sundaram Chilaisha (Zambia), Mr Joseph Sindawa (Zambia), Mr Absalom Ndlovu (Zambia), Mr Mathews Silondwa (Zambia), Mr Shadrick Lunduka Magombo (Malawi), Mr Umali Muhammad Yasidu (Malawi), Ms Dalitso Tizifa (Malawi), Mr Elton Chikaynga Mhone (Malawi), Ms Palesa Alice Makepe (Lesotho), Ms Ntsoaki Pauline Makafane (Lesotho), Ms Luisa Rafael Ginela Mahocha (Mozambique), Celestino Albino Uamusse (Mozambique), Ms Mafuta Noredi Muzama (DUT), Nivaldo Pinto (Portuguese translator), Mr Norman Khoza (AUDA-NEPAD, South Africa), Course Presenters, Dr Ivan Niranjan (DUT), Mr Peter John Jacobs (Managing Director at Sedulitas), Mrs Goitsemang Salvation Keretetse (Wits University Lecturer), Zarco Geldenhuys (Sedulitas), Mrs Flore Kamdomg (AUDA-NEPAD, South Africa).
Senior Lecturer in the department of Community Health Studies at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Ivan Niranjan, said the aim is basically to impart knowledge and experience to the delegates.
Head of Department: Community Health Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Dr Moeti Kgware welcomed all the course delegates and thanked Dr Niranjan for making this workshop possible as it took a lot of planning, and motivation from his end to ensure this event is possible.
“We tried to make sure that this training happens here because as a university, one of the things is our huge strategy plan that we have called ENVISION2030 that we believe in; and we think by 2030 whoever comes through the doors of DUT will come out a different person based on the ENVISION2030 strategy plan. One of the things we talk about is being an engaged university, making sure that anyone who comes through our university does not go out for themselves, but they are here to learn to go out and change the lives of other people,” he said.
Course Presenter, Managing Director at Sedulitas, Mr Peter John Jacobs said he has been involved in occupational hazards for the last 25 years, explaining that his company, Sedulitas are custodians of creating healthy work environments and they have a massive responsibility on their shoulders.
“The information you obtain here is for you to take and implement and make workplaces healthier,” he said.
Jacobs outlined the course aims which is to provide participants with an understanding of the appreciation of nature of noise hazards in the workplace.
- The effects of noise on people.
- The identification and risk assessment of noise.
- Understanding of hearing and risks of hearing loss. Significance of data in relation to the exposure standards; and possible noise control mechanisms.
He indicated that the course outcomes for participants will be to:
- Describe the consequences to health and well-being of excessive noise exposure.
- Understand the measurement (including dosimetry) of noise in relation to current standards.
- Conduct surveys in the workplace to assess risks from noise.
- Advise on the need and means of control, including personal protective equipment.
- Appreciate and advise on environmental noise assessment and concerns; as well as to understand current standards and good practice in these fields.
Other coursework which the delegates will be covering until Friday,9 December 2022, includes topics pertaining to Introduction to sound, Human Responses to Sound, Risk Assessment and Instrumentation, Noise Surveys, Noise Control as well as practical’s concluded by an examination on the final day.
Pictured: Delegates in training at the Occupational Noise Measurement and Effects Training Workshop.
Waheeda Peters
