There is no single solution to the control of industrial noise. While engineering and technological innovations are needed, an indispensable prerequisite to the effective control of noise is establishment of a regulatory mechanism to delineate the problem, formulate policy, enact legislation and set reasonable exposure standards for the protection of workers. However, enforcement of the law alone may not be sufficient to bring about the desired results. Resources should also be channeled to training, providing information and guidance, as well as incentives.

The first NID cases in Singapore can be traced to the early 1970s when surveys revealed a high prevalence of NID among workers in textile factories, shipyards and granite quarries. As a first step to delineating the problem, NID was made notifiable under the Factories Act 1973¹, and compensable under the Workmen’s Compensation Act² in 1975.

1. The Government of Singapore. The Factories Act 1973. The Government Printer, 1973.

2. The Government of Singapore. The Workmen’s Compensation Act. The Government Printer, 1975.