90dBA peak in church in the back row

[plasgears]

Some churches have a bad habit of driving the sound level to ridiculous levels. Two churches I know of peak at 90dBA regularly, measured in the back row. I wear foam plugs, which are good for 30 dB attenuation. What about the people in the front? I calculated 115 dBA in the front at half the distance to the speakers.

Doew the law speak for this situation? I have advised the powers that be, and I have been branded a complainer. So be it, but if this is a violation, I may need to take action.

 

[jsummerfield]

Read the law.

How long do you sit there? The law does not prohibit exposure exceeding 90 dbA but clarifies the time permitted at various levels. If the sound level exceeds 85 they must monitor the employees for their hearing changes.

Search for recent threads for similar industrial questions in this topic. This should apply if the church has employees. I do not know about those who pay to attend.

John

 

[jsummerfield]

I did not look far. See the previous thread,

http://eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=111663&page=1

John

 

[safetydan]

One thing you have to be aware of is OSHA regulations do not apply to all industries. Also, going to church, in most cases, is not an occupation. If the church has a paid staff that numbers above 11 at any point of the year, then OSHA does apply only to the employees of the church. However if all you are talking about is the people in the seats, then OSHA does not apply. It would be like saying everyone at a rock concert must were earplugs.

 

[plasgears]

I found an effective set of earplugs called Hearos, and info is avail at hearos.com. The earplugs are available at music stores, and they are described as musician earplugs. Cost was about $15, and they attenuate about 20+ at all freq ranges.

Yes, I think attendees at rock churches and rock concerts need to protect their ears.