Text For Citation: 01 Item/Group: 004 Hazard:

29 CFR 1926.52(b): Where employees were subjected to sound levels exceeding those listed in Table D-2 of this section, feasible administrative or engineering controls were not utilized. When such controls failed to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table, personal protective equipment as required in subpart E, was not provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table. a) Pinewald Aqua water tower inside and outside of the tarpaulin containment area: The employee who was sandblasting was exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (Permissible Exposure Limit). The employee's dosimeter dBA level was 1518.7% of the permissible level (90 dBA) and was equivalent to approximately 109.6 dBA. The sampling was performed for 480 minutes during one shift on 4/9/24. The employer did not utilize any administrative or engineering controls to reduce noise. The employer provided PPE that had a NRR of 26. This PPE was not cable of reducing the employee's noise exposure to below the limits in Table D-2. b) Pinewald Aqua water tower inside and outside of the tarpaulin containment area: The employee who was sandblasting was exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (Permissible Exposure Limit). The employee's dosimeter dBA level was 2786.3% of the permissible level (90 dBA) and was equivalent to approximately 114 dBA. The sampling was performed for 480 minutes during one shift on 4/9/24. The employer did not utilize any administrative or engineering controls to reduce noise. The employer provided PPE that had a NRR of 26. This PPE was not cable of reducing the employee's noise exposure to below the limits in Table D-2. c) Pinewald Aqua water tower inside and outside of the tarpaulin containment area: The employee who was sandblasting was exposed to continuous noise levels in excess of the allowable 8-hour time-weighted average sound level (Permissible Exposure Limit). The employee's dosimeter dBA level was 3674.7% of the permissible level (90 dBA) and was equivalent to approximately 115.9 dBA. The sampling was performed for 480 minutes during one shift on 4/9/24. The employer did not utilize any administrative or engineering controls to reduce noise. The employer provided PPE that had a NRR of 26. This PPE was not cable of reducing the employee's noise exposure to below the limits in Table D-2. NOTE: IN ADDITION TO ABATEMENT CERTIFICATION, THE EMPLOYER IS REQUIRED TO SUBMIT ABATEMENT DOCUMENTATION FOR THIS ITEM. FAILURE TO COMPLY WILL RESULT IN AN ADDITIONAL PENALTY OF $1000.00 IN ACCORDANCE WITH 29 CFR 1903.19.