碎石工廠職業衛生評估調查

Assessment of Occupational Health for Stone-crushing Manufacturers

本研究為了解碎石業工廠之暴露危害情形，訪視6家廠家進行現場職業衛生現況調查，並實施作業環境監測。監測項目分別以區域及個人採樣方式進行，包括總粉塵及可呼吸性粉塵（含結晶型游離二氧化矽與石綿纖維分析）採樣，以及噪音量測。研究同時向廠家員工進行健康問卷調查，以進一步了解自覺暴露危害及健康情形。總粉塵區域採樣濃度平均值為20.8 mg/m3，其中50%樣本超過第四種粉塵容許濃度標準（10 mg/m3）；可呼吸性粉塵平均值為3.08mg/m3，其中22%樣本超過容許濃度標準（5 mg/m3）。可呼吸性粉塵的個人採樣，濃度範圍由未檢出至2.23 mg/m3。六家廠家的結晶型游離二氧化矽採樣大多未檢出，但花崗石作業的採樣則測出二氧化矽；以第二種粉塵標準檢視所測濃度，則超標情形更嚴重。石綿纖維分析結果顯示，濃度皆低於法規標準（0.15 f/cc），部分樣本則未檢出，但蛇紋石作業區採樣濃度明顯偏高。噪音量測結果顯示，區域量測之八小時日時量平均音壓值（TWA）為88.9 dBA，應按規定使勞工配戴防音防護器具。多數個人量測值低於區域量測值，但有一例外甚至超過八小時暴露標準90 dBA。頻譜分析則顯示高分貝數集中於2K – 4KHz，為最容易造成聽力損失的區段，值得注意。健康問卷結果並未發現顯著問題，多數受訪者未察覺暴露危害情形或健康問題，且相當滿意現在的工作環境，顯示安全衛生認知不足，須加以提升以求改善。總之，碎石工廠作業環境粉塵、噪音危害嚴重，且雇主與員工未具備安全衛生意識，值得相關單位重視並予以輔導。

We conducted this study to assess the exposure of stone-crushing workers, and visited 6 factories for the on-site survey of occupational health and workplace monitoring. The workplace monitoring included dust collection and noise measurement, which were conducted in area sampling and personal monitoring. Total dust and respirable dust samples were collected, and free crystalline silica and asbestos were analyzed for selective samples. Questionnaires were conducted for the employees to further understand the self awareness of exposure and health status. The mean concentration of total dust from environmental sampling was 20.8 mg/m3 and 50% exceeded the permissible exposure level (PEL); whereas the mean concentration of respirable dust was 3.08 mg/m3, and 22% were above the PEL. The concentrations of respirable dust from personal sampling ranged from non-detect to 2.23 mg/ m3. Crystalline free silica was not detected from most of the samples, but detected from the samples that were set by granite processing machines, suggesting application of the stringent Category 2 PEL to the situation. The asbestos data showed low concentrations but higher ones were detected in relation to use of serpentine. The noise data as 8-hour time weighted average was 88.9 dBA, suggesting that the workers should wear protection gears during the work. Most personal measurements of noise were lower than the area measurements, but one exception was even higher than the 8-hour standard, 90 dBA. The spectrum data analysis showed that frequencies of all high-decibel noise were between 2k and 4kHz, which covered the most sensitive zone to cause human hearing loss. The questionnaire analysis did not find significant health problems; most subjects were not aware of the exposure and hazard to health and satisfactory to the working environments, indicating a lack of recognition of safety and health. In summary, the working environments of stone-crushing factories are full of exposures to dust and noise, but the employers and employees do not possess the senses of safety and health. It is necessary for the relevant authorities-in-charge to pay attention to and improve the situation.