<abstract xml:lang="en" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors in the work environment of Latvian metal processing industry using the database of the Laboratory of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University. During the period between 1996 and 2005, 703 measurements were made in metalworking enterprises. In Latvia, approximately 2.4% of the workforce is involved in the metal processing industry. Physical (noise, lighting, vibration) and chemical (abrasive dust, welding aerosol and contained metals) risk factors were analysed. In the assessed metalworking workplaces, the work environment was estimated to be of poor quality, because occupational exposure limits or recommended values were exceeded in 42% (n = 294) of cases. Noise, manganese and welding aerosols most often exceeded the occupational exposure limits or recommended values, the significance was P &lt; <italic>0.001</italic>, P &lt; <italic>0.01 and</italic> P &lt; <italic>0.05, respectively</italic>.</p></abstract>

The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors in the work environment of Latvian metal processing industry using the database of the Laboratory of Hygiene and Occupational Diseases of the Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University. During the period between 1996 and 2005, 703 measurements were made in metalworking enterprises. In Latvia, approximately 2.4% of the workforce is involved in the metal processing industry. Physical (noise, lighting, vibration) and chemical (abrasive dust, welding aerosol and contained metals) risk factors were analysed. In the assessed metalworking workplaces, the work environment was estimated to be of poor quality, because occupational exposure limits or recommended values were exceeded in 42% (n = 294) of cases. Noise, manganese and welding aerosols most often exceeded the occupational exposure limits or recommended values, the significance was P < 0.001, P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively.

Possible hazards of work environment in metal processing industry in Latvia

Institute of Occupational Safety and Environmental Health, Rīga Stradiņš University, Dzirciema iela 16, LV-1007, Rīga, LATVIA

Proceedings of the Latvian Academy of Sciences. Section B. Natural, Exact, and Applied Sciences.

{"article-title":"Possible hazards of work environment in metal processing industry in Latvia"}

The aim of this study was to investigate risk factors in the work environment of Latvian metal processing industry using the database of the Laboratory of...

Possible hazards of work environment in metal processing industry in Latvia

Published Online: Aug 18, 2010

Page range: 61 - 65

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10046-010-0018-5

Keywords
metal processing industry, risk factors of the work environment, noise, abrasive dust, welding fume

This content is open access.

Possible hazards of work environment in metal processing industry in Latvia

Published Online: Aug 18, 2010

Page range: 61 - 65

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/v10046-010-0018-5

Keywordsmetal processing industry, risk factors of the work environment, noise, abrasive dust, welding fume

This content is open access.

Keywords
metal processing industry, risk factors of the work environment, noise, abrasive dust, welding fume