He was replying to a written question in parliament from official opposition Democratic Alliance MP Stuart Farrow who asked whether Spoornet expended any funds on researching the impact of noise levels on its locomotive drivers and their assistants.

Radebe said all employees, including train drivers and train assistants were afforded the opportunity to undergo hearing tests in accordance with an instruction from the department of labour in 2003.

"Noise induced hearing loss is the number one occupational disease in Spoornet.

"The prevalence of this disease in Spoornet is currently 6%. Train drivers and train assistants were the most affected grades at 14% of the number of employees affected," said Radebe.

Asked if any locomotive drivers or their assistants had been medically boarded or released from driving duties in the last three years, he said none had been boarded for hearing related injuries.

"However, 17 train drivers and four train assistants are (have been) released from normal train driving duties because of hearing-related injuries.

"Investigations into each case are being done and a decision will be made whether they will be permanently removed from train driving duties or placed on alternative duties."

From Finance24.com