Noise levels and the use of personal protective equipment at a garment factory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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Abstract
Noise is a common occupational hazard in industrial environments, particularly in the textile and garment industry, where machinery operates continuously and often generates noise levels that exceed safe thresholds. This study was conducted at a large garment factory in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to assess the current status of personal protective equipment (PPE) usage and health symptoms related to noise exposure among workers, and to develop a spatial noise distribution map of the workplace. Data were collected from 100 workers through questionnaire surveys and from 186 noise measurement point based on Vietnam’s national standards. The results indicated that all working areas had noise levels below the eight-hour-exposure threshold of 85 dBA; however, more than 60% of workers operated in areas with noise levels exceeding 70 dBA, a level known to trigger physiological stress responses with prolonged exposure. Although most workers had received occupational hygiene training, only 30% used PPE regularly, while 22% reported symptoms such as headaches, tinnitus, or sleep disturbances after work. A lack of awareness and a sense of being “accustomed to the noise” were key reasons for the low rate of PPE usage. The study recommends strengthening training programs, monitoring PPE compliance, and implementing effective noise control measures to protect the long-term health of workers in the garment industry.
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References
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