——————— rc — ee es— OCTOBER, 1971 THE WESTERN CANADIAN LUMBER WORKER How does noise affect man? Researchers have focused on everything from the inner ear to the noise outdoors in order to answer that question. Industrial safety directors and hygienists are chiefly con- cerned with the effects of in- dustrial noise on human hear- ing. But, two facts appear to be emerging from current re- search: first, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to separate the effects of indus- trial noise from the effects of all other noise in the environ- ment; second, noise may have ‘serious effects on the human. body that are unrelated to hearing loss. Joseph Anticaglia, formerly of the National Noise Study, Bureau of Occupational Safety and Health, pointed out in a recent paper: ‘‘There are innumerable sources of degrading sound or noise, but whether generated by pneumatic riveters, overhead aircraft, or passing trucks, noise can and does adversely affect man. It can cause auditory problems. . . It can eause ‘extra-auditory effects’ involving disturbances of physiological functions apart from hearing; and it can hinder task performance and disrupt rest, relaxation, and sleep.” Noise causes vaso- constriction, tightening of blood vessels, to cut down the flow of blood into various parts of the body. In the brain, how- ever, noise has a reverse effect on bloed vessels; it makes them dilate, possibly causing headaches. If employees who do close work complain about noise, they may have good reason. Researchers have discovered that loud noises can make the pupils of the eyes dilate. This repeated dilation makes it necessary constantly to change the eye’s focus, seriously im- pairing the worker’s ability to do fine, close work. Pregnant women on the payroll may require more quiet than other workers. The fetus in the mother’s womb is not insulated from loud noises as was once believed. Noise penetrates to the unborn child though precisely with what results is not yet known. Some scientists believe, however, that excessive noise can cause birth defects. The effects of noise on personality and ‘“‘nerves”’ is also under study. A 1969 re- search project in England showed that people living near London’s busy Heathrow Airport suffered more mental illness than those who lived in similar neighborhoods far from jet plane flight patterns. Some hearing specialists insist that excessive noise can cause hearing loss, period. Dr. Aram Glorig of the Callier Hearing and Speech Center in Dallas has pointed out: ‘‘As far as we can determine from ™ industrial records, we can find no increase in fatigue or irritability, or tendencies to nervousness. I am saying that at the present time there is no evidence to support statements that say noise is the cause of many of the non-auditory health effects that are oc- curring in workers.” Glorig acknowledges that noise affects the circulatory system and increases the breathing rate. He believes, however, that these effects are eee et | temporary. Whether or not they could lead eventually to high blood pressure, ulcers, or dermatoses requires ‘further studies in the comparisons of non-noise exposed groups with respect to these problems... before valid conclusions can be drawn,” Glorig maintains. AT BULKLEY VALLEY SAFETY DIRECTOR TOURS LOCAL 1-424 OPERATIONS By ANDY SMITH Regional Safety Director On a recent trip to Local 1- 424, I had the opportunity of visiting a number of the logging operations of the Bulkley Valley Forest In- dustries at Houston. Meetings were held at the McBride Lake operation and also at Shell Bay on Babine Lake. These oper- ations are performing quite well but I would suggest that closer supervision be instituted — checking on people working on logs to see that they have a proper type of footwear and that the buckers on the landing are always in the clear when a turn of logs comes in. I have also visited the Eurocan operation at Ootsa Lake. Owing to the slash burning at that time and the crew being on BULKLEY VALLEY FOREST INDUSTRIES’ logging crew at McBride Lake. Crews of both operations are members of Local 1-424 IWA. BULKLEY VALLEY FOREST INDUSTRIES, logging crew at Michelle Bay attending safety meeting to hear Regional Safety Director Andy Smith. fire watch, a meeting was not held. As chairman of the Forestry Section of the Canadian Labour Congress Health and Safety Conference held in Calgary September 27-30, I feel the delegates to the Forestry Section from British Columbia . did a very good job. Un- fortunately, there were not too many delegates, and I .would like to see a greater attendance in future. The Forestry group submitted recommendations on noise, air and water pollution, drugs in industry, and the establishment of standards in building of indus- trial undertakings so that sound-proofing can be applied at the time of building and that all machines have a plate attached to them designating the decibel rating of every piece of machinery. i ON THE LIGHTER SIDE Logger’s Wife: ‘‘Honey, you look really beat! How would you like a nice tender steak and a real, old fashioned flakey crusted apple pie for dessert?”’ Logger: ‘‘Aw, I’m too tired to go out — just fix me up something here at home!”’ Pouce Coupe Pete says that a man celebrates his birthday by taking a day off. A woman takes a year off. + % + Vancouver equipment distributor to salesman: “You’ve told all our secrets to our competitors, you’ve been padding your expense accounts for months, you’ve stolen thousands of dollars and you’ve been goofing off at least 3 or 4 days a month since you started working for us. One more mistake on your part and you’re fired!”