A task-based assessment of noise levels at a swine confinement

Chandran Achutan, Randy L. Tubbs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study describes a task-based noise evaluation conducted at a community college that operated a small swine confinement for training and profit. Seven full-shift dosimeter samples and area noise data were collected during the evaluation. The time weighted average noise levels were all well below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit, but exceeded the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health's Recommended Exposure Limit on three of seven occasions. The potential for high noise exposures is evidenced in the noise dose measured for specific activities such as power washing, ear clipping, and snout snaring. When the data were extrapolated to depict exposures where specific tasks were carried out over a full shift, tasks such as power washing and snout snaring would exceed the OSHA Action Level (AL). Employees who exceed the OSHA AL are required to be enrolled in a hearing conservation program.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)55-65
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Agromedicine
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2007
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Dosimetry
  • Noise
  • Spectral analysis
  • Swine confinement
  • Task analysis
  • Teaching facility

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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