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

Section 5(a)(1) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970: The employer did not furnish employment and a place of employment which were free from recognized hazards that were causing or likely to cause death or serious physical harm to employees in that employees were exposed to permanent hearing loss due to lack of institution of engineering controls to reduce employees exposure to noise: In the following instances, when employee exposure to noise exceeded the OSHA PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) of 90 decibels as an eight hour time weighted average, the employer failed to institute engineering controls to reduce employees exposures. a)Barn #55, (12/21/98) - Wash Crew employee performing cleaning power washing of barn using high pressure water for 300 minutes was exposed to excessive noise levels. The employees measured eight hour time weighted average exposure (8 hr. TWA) was equal to 93.7 dbA. b)Barn #55, (12/21/98) - Wash Crew employee performing cleaning power washing of barn using high pressure water for 300 minutes was exposed to excessive noise levels. The employees measured eight hour time weighted average exposure (8 hr. TWA) was equal to 92.5 dbA. Abatement Note: Among other methods, some feasible and acceptable methods to reduce or eliminate employee exposure include, but are not necessarily limited to: 1. Design/purchase a water nozzle that reduces pressure at the end of the nozzle that reduces sound levels. 2. Reduce water pressure.