Council Bluffs Workplace Exposure Attorney

Generally, we think of Iowa or Nebraska workplace hazards as consisting of amputations in production plants, back injuries or exposures to dangerous chemicals on the job. However, you may not realize that excessive noise can also risk the health of people at their jobs. According to OSHA, as many as 22 million workers a year are subjected to noise that can damage the human body. In a single year, U.S. businesses had to pay out greater than 1.5 million in penalties for inadequately protecting their workers against harmful noise.

There are a few telltale signs that your workplace might have noise issues:

• You shouldn’t have problems communicating with a fellow worker that’s about an arm’s length from you. If you have to shout to be heard, the noise level is too loud.
• You may be suffering from noise injury when your shift is over. Humming or ringing in the human ear can be one sign you have exposed to excessive noise. Additionally, you may have temporary loss of hearing.

OSHA does set limits on how loud the noise level in a workplace can be. The permissible noise limit is measured in decibels, with an allowable exposure limit of 90 decibels for workers that work an eight-hour day. OSHA’s standard works off an exchange rate of 5 decibels. If the noise level in a job site increases by 5, then the time that a person may be exposed to a particular noise level to receive the same amount is reduced by half. According to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, workers should not be exposed to a noise level equivalent to 85 decibels for eight hours, to minimize the risks of hearing loss.

Basically, a workplace can be too noisy for the safety of its employees, to the point of causing injury. However, federal limits do exist that restrict the level of noise a job site can expose its workers to without protection. If a workplace is too loud and workers experience hearing loss or other health problems, the company may be liable for work comp benefits, hearing aids and other care.  They may also be subject to penalties and fines. Call us if you believe this describes you or your injuries.

In Iowa, ethanol production is a big industry. In fact, according to the Iowa Corn Growers Association, the state produces almost 30 percent of the nation’s ethanol, and about 43,000 workers in Iowa owe their jobs to this industry. Ethanol has numerous benefits for the environment when it is used as an alternative to gasoline, such as lowering greenhouse gas emissions.

Although ethanol is good for the environment, there are toxic exposure and burn hazards for those who work with it. The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration lists a number of dangers that employers must address to keep their workers safe.

Employers must take steps to eliminate, or at least reduce, the amount of a hazardous material that a worker is exposed to, particularly in confined spaces where it can be difficult to avoid contact with a substance. This may be achieved to some degree by ensuring ventilation to prevent poor air quality. Testing must be done before workers enter a confined space and while they are inside. In grain-handling facilities, there may be a risk of combustive materials, hazardous gases, and low oxygen content, as well as the presence of fumigants and pesticides.

When it is not possible to create a safe atmosphere for workers, employers must provide personal protective equipment, such as respirators. Toxic substances may also be absorbed through the skin and irritate or damage the eyes, so equipment such as gloves, clothing, and eyewear may be necessary, as well. Employees should be trained in how to use these effectively. Signs should identify any areas where PPE is needed. If you were injured in an ethanol plant, call us to find out how we can help you.