Occupational Exposure to Noise and Electromagnetic Fields in Industrial Workplaces: Health Implications, Safety Practices, and Mitigation Strategies in Kebbi State

Samaila B.; Ifeoluwa M. A; Maidamma B.; Garba I.I.

doi:10.56201/ijhpr.vol.10.no11.2025.pg1.13

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Occupational Exposure to Noise and Electromagnetic Fields in Industrial Workplaces: Health Implications, Safety Practices, and Mitigation Strategies in Kebbi State

Samaila B., Ifeoluwa M. A, Maidamma B., Garba I.I.

Abstract

Industrialization has significantly increased occupational exposure to both noise and electromagnetic fields (EMFs), creating complex health and safety challenges. This study assessed the patterns, intensity, and health impacts of noise and EMF exposure among workers across selected industries in Northwestern Nigeria. Data were analysed from ten structured variables, including exposure sources, intensity levels, health effects, protective practices, training, and policy implementation. The findings revealed that machinery and generators were the dominant exposure sources, accounting for over 60% of total risk frequency. Exposure intensity ranged from moderate to very high, with power and rice-processing industries showing the highest prevalence. Commonly reported health effects included headache (60.6%), sleep disturbances (37.4%), and stress (35.4%), while auditory effects such as hearing loss (13.1%) and tinnitus (2%) were less frequent. Only 24% of industries had implemented protection or training programs, and 75.8% of respondents lacked access to any form of personal protective equipment (PPE). About 74.7% of workers never wore noise protection, and only two industries had done formal exposure assessments. The most proposed mitigation strategies included workplace improvement (50.5%) and PPE provision (47.5%). The study concludes that poor occupational safety culture, lack of training, and inadequate regulatory enforcement are major contributors to the observed health outcomes. For long-term workplace safety, it is important to strengthen industrial health policies, make regular exposure monitoring mandatory, and use both engineering and administrative controls. These findings align with the recommendations of the World Health Organization (2020), the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP, 2020), and the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2021) on workplace environmental safety stand

Keywords

Noise exposureelectromagnetic fieldsindustrial healthoccupational safetyprotective equipmentNigeria.

References

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Occupational Exposure to Noise and Electromagnetic Fields in Industrial Workplaces: Health Implications, Safety Practices, and Mitigation Strategies in Kebbi State

Abstract

Keywords

References

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