Do you have a hearing conservation program? If your employee noise exposure levels equal or exceed an eight (8) hour time-weighted average sound level of 85 decibels OSHA says you must have one.
While attending a round table discussion at the Southeastern Carwash Association Roadshow in Atlanta, I found an easy way to determine what your decibels levels are. Kevin Wood, owner of Snappy Express Wash Inc. in Clarksville Georgia, demonstrated how modern technology makes it as easy as 1 - 2 - 3. He simply downloaded an application on his phone for a 'Noise Meter'. Then used it while walking through the tunnel at his wash to identify areas that may exceed acceptable noise levels.
Click here for OSHA's decibel chart and further information you may need to comply with this standard.
I would also suggest that you add this task to your maintenance logs, monitor decibels, changes and necessary actions taken to maintain compliance.
Have any tricks with decibel levels you could share? Post a comment or email us!
