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Health hazard evaluation report: HETA-98-0289-2742, RMC LONESTAR, San Francisco, California.

Authors
Tubbs RL
Source
Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, HETA 98-0289-2742, 1999 Jun; :1-17
Link
https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hhe/reports/pdfs/1998-0289-2742.pdf
NIOSHTIC No.
20022005
Abstract
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) responded to a joint request from the Building Material & Construction Teamster's Union Local 216 and the management at RMC LONESTAR to investigate noise exposures to the drivers of the company's ready-mix concrete trucks. Of particular concern was noise from a data telemetry system in the cab of the trucks that tracked the driver's location. On October 5-9, 1998, investigators from NIOSH traveled to San Francisco, California, to conduct a noise survey at the company's ready-mix plants. Three days of personal noise dosimetry were obtained along with area noise measurements in the cab of the trucks and the cement plant to characterize the spectral make up of the noise. The RMC LONESTAR hearing conservation program was also reviewed by NIOSH investigators. The analysis of the results determined that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) action level for the implementation of a hearing conservation program was exceeded in most of the sampled truck drivers. The NIOSH recommended exposure limit was surpassed in all personal noise measurements. The specific analysis of the data telemetry system found that the beeps emitted by the device were pure-tone in nature, but not of sufficient intensity to damage the drivers' hearing. However, the device did produce many unneeded sounds that could be perceived by the employees as annoying.
Keywords
Noise; Truck-drivers; Stress; Hearing-protection; Exposure-levels; Sound; Author Keywords: Ready-Mixed Concrete, Production and Distribution; noise; truck drivers; data telemetry system; stress; hearing protection devices
Publication Date
19990601
Document Type
Field Studies; Hazard Evaluation and Technical Assistance
Fiscal Year
1999
Identifying No.
HETA-98-0289-2742
NIOSH Division
DSHEFS
SIC Code
3273
Source Name
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
State
CA; OH
Page last reviewed: May 11, 2023
Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health Education and Information Division