Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 002 Hazard:

29 CFR 1910.95(j)(2): Hearing protectors did not attenuate employee exposure at least to an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 90 decibels as required by 29 CFR 1910.95(b): (a)Wheeler Tank Manufacturing, Inc. at 4001 North 4th Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104: On or about and at times prior to February 6, 2024, the employer did not ensure hearing protectors attenuated employee exposure to at least an 8-hour time-weighted average ("8-Hr TWA") of 90 decibels. An employee performing abrasive blasting had a measured exposure of 112.9 dBA as an 8-hour TWA. The employee utilized 3M Peltor H505B ear muffs with a listed attenuation/Noise Reduction Rating of 17 dB. This only reduced the employees estimated exposure to 102.9 dBA as a 8-Hr TWA, above the 90 dBA limit. This condition exposed an employee to noise hazards that can result in hearing loss.