Occupational health risk assessment of a lead-acid battery enterprise based on two models of ICMM occupational health risk assessment

Objective The occupational health risk assessment of a battery enterprise was carried out by using the ICMM occupational health risk assessment method, and the applicability of this method was discussed, to provide a scientific basis for occupational health management methods for enterprises.

Methods ICMM risk assessment technology qualitative evaluation matrix and quantitative evaluation model were used to evaluate the occupational health risk of workers in a battery enterprise, and then the applicability of the method was analyzed.

Results The qualitative evaluation matrix method showed that the health risks of lead poisoning caused by exposure to lead in the worksites of plate grinding, plate splitting, plate assemble into the shell, plate casting and plate welding were ranked as medium; the health risks of hearing loss or noise deafness caused by noise exposure in the worksites such as plate cutting, plate assemble into shell and plate casting were ranked as high; and the health risks at the remaining worksites were ranked as potential, low or very low. The quantitative assessment model showed that the health risks of lead poisoning caused by exposure to lead in the worksites of mixing, plate grinding, plate splitting, plate assemble into shell, plate casting and plate welding were ranked as intolerable; the health risks of hearing loss or noise deafness caused by noise exposure in worksites such as coated plate, plate grinding, plate splitting, plate assemble into shell and plate casting were ranked as intolerable; and the health risks of the remaining worksites were ranked as potential or tolerable.

Conclusion Lead and noise were the most harmful factors in this battery enterprises. Enterprises should take measures to reduce occupational health risks, such as improving production technology, adjusting original protective facilities and strengthening occupational health management. The results of matrix method and quantitative method were different, and the risk level showed by matrix method was lower than that showed by quantitative method. In practical application, the health risk level at each worksite should be considered in combination with the occupational hazards monitoring results and workers' occupational health examination results.