Hearing Protection


Final Directives Issued for Wind Turbines in National Forests

They add a new "Wind Energy Uses" chapter to the Forest Service's Special Uses Handbook and a new "Monitoring at Wind Energy Sites" chapter to the Wildlife Monitoring Handbook.

$378,620 in Fines Issued to Wisconsin Wood Firm for Willful Violations

Northeastern Wisconsin Wood Products was first inspected by OSHA in 2006 and issued eight citations. A follow-up inspection in 2007 found that most of the originally cited hazards remained unabated.

Grain Bin Maker Fined $142,400 for Plethora of Serious Safety Violations

The company was cited for one willful, one repeat, 20 serious, and one-other-than serious violation, following a combined safety and health inspection at the company's facility.

Metal Stamping Plant Faces $426,100 in Fines for Failing to Report Amputations

Two employees received injuries while operating mechanical power presses in the plant prior to OSHA's January inspection. As a result, the company was cited for a total of nine willful safety violations.

Slew of Safety Hazards Add Up to $72,000 in Fines for Arizona Firm

Seventeen serious violations include the company's failure to ensure exits were unblocked, provide eye protection approved by the American National Standards Institute, and provide written energy source lockout/tagout procedures.

Donning, Doffing Decision Still Debated

A trade association and the U.S. Labor Department offered very different interpretations of the U.S. Supreme Court's 2005 decision in IBP, Inc. v. Alvarez when they commented on its application to FSIS inspectors.

Wood Pallet Firm Busted for Machine Guarding, PPE Violations

OSHA initiated an inspection on Feb. 1 as part of its National Emphasis Program on Amputations. As a result, the company was cited for 18 serious violations.

Steel Manufacturer Fined $206,000 for Recordkeeping Violations

The willful violations address the company’s failure, from 2007 to 2010, to record standard threshold shifts on the OSHA 300 Log when employees’ hearing tests revealed that they experienced a work-related STS and the employees’ total hearing level was 25 decibels or more above audiometric zero.



OSHA Starts NEP on Primary Metals Industry

This new National Emphasis Program aims to protect workers from chemical and physical hazards. Some are exposed to metal dusts and fumes, carbon monoxide, lead, and silica, according to inspection and BLS data.

The Value of Ear Plug Fit Testing

Only one factor was found to be a consistent predictor of good ear plug fit: one-on-one training.

AIHA Announces New International Noise Hazards Course

“W503 Noise - Measurement and its Effects” will provide registrants with a better appreciation of the nature of noise hazards in the workplace and the effects of noise on people, noted AIHA.

AIHA Offering AIHce 2011 Virtual Tech Sessions

Two days of live webcasts of tech sessions taking place at the Portland, Ore., conference will begin May 18.

Pie Maker Minces Fingertip, Bakery Fined $229,400

Violations include exposing workers to combustible dust, fall and electrical hazards, among others.

The December 2010 compliance directive said 1926.501(b)(13) would be interpreted as written.

7th Circuit Upholds OSHA Fall Protection Directive

And the panel's reasoning in the April 7 decision offers support for the hearing protection reinterpretation OSHA recently withdrew.

Failure-to-Abate Notices Add Up to $112,530 in Fines for N.J. Firm

OSHA initiated an inspection on Oct. 21, 2011, in response to a complaint alleging that the employer had not abated safety and health violations cited on July 14, 2010.

British PPE Makers Take Aim at Counterfeits

The British Safety Industry Federation warns that buyers can be confused by a "CE" mark that is not representing true approval.

The State of Occupational Hearing Conservation

New technologies make the goal of OSHA's Hearing Conservation Amendment, the elimination of noise-induced hearing loss, very feasible.

Active Noise Control technology takes on the noise effect head on.

Eliminating Noise Pollution in IT Work Environments

Workers no longer have to be subjected to noise's damaging effects -- or suffer frostbite, for that matter.

Fibers Plant, Army Program Win Safe-in-Sound Excellence Awards

NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard said the 2011 winners "show us the power of teamwork and ingenuity in developing innovative solutions to protect workers from the home front to the front lines."

Workers in Aqueduct Tunnel Exposed to Excess Noise Levels; Firm Fined $52,500

Employees were also exposed to fall hazards of up to 14 feet from a lack of fall protection and from using a ladder that did not extend at least 3 feet above the upper landing service for required stability.

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