Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-92-0243-2377, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Ozark Power Plant, Ozark, Arkansas.
Authors
Tubbs-RL; Moss-CE
Source
NIOSH 1994 Jan; :1-32
Abstract
In response to a request from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 2219, an investigation was begun into possible hazardous noise levels at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hydroelectric power facility (SIC-4911) at Ozark, Arkansas. An employee noise exposure survey was conducted before acoustical treatment was started and again after the noise control had been put into place. At each survey all five of the turbines/generators at the facility were operating at maximum output capacity. Personal noise exposure measurements were taken for all of the electricians and mechanics at work on the days of the surveys with noise dosimeters set to measure noise according to the noise regulations of the Department of the Army. All the workers tested were exposed to noise levels that exceeded the safety and health requirements. Worker compliance with the wearing of hearing protective devices was good. Infrasound, vibration, and electromagnetic field exposures were found to be low. Magnetic fields were high near a cable tray behind the generators. The authors conclude that noise levels exceeded the evaluation criteria, and the acoustical treatment did not affect the noise levels. The authors recommend additional noise control measures, and changes in work practices to reduce electromagnetic field exposures.
Keywords
NIOSH-Author; NIOSH-Health-Hazard-Evaluation; NIOSH-Technical-Assistance-Report; HETA-92-0243-2377; Hazard-Confirmed; Region-6; Control-technology; Noise-exposure; Electric-power-generation; Electromagnetic-radiation; Occupational-exposure
Document Type
Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance; Field Studies
NTIS Accession No.
PB94-194537
Identifying No.
HETA-92-0243-2377
Priority Area
Control-technology
Source Name
Hazard Evaluations and Technical Assistance Branch, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cincinnati, Ohio, Report No. HETA-92-0243-2377, 32 pages, 22 references
