Read-aloud huddle
Before our next equipment purchase or rental, let's compare quieter options and their noise information. OSHA recommends choosing low-noise tools and machinery. Office purchasers and field users can work together on that choice. On September 23, 2026, OSHA announced $446,864 in proposed penalties for ModWash LLC in New Jersey, covering hazardous-energy and noise-related violations together. One cited failure was not developing and implementing a noise monitoring program. That is a documented finding; comparing purchases is our proposed action, not a reported cause of the case. Today, identify one upcoming purchase or rental, ask for comparable noise information, and agree who will check the selected control in actual use. Keep protective measures in place while improvements are assessed. OSHA case; noise guidance; control planning.
What the number means
$446,864 proposed: The September 23 announcement reports a combined proposed penalty for hazardous-energy and noise-related violations, not a noise-only or final fine. It does not report a purchasing failure or an injury. Use the case to open a prevention discussion, not to infer an undocumented cause. OSHA announcement.
Choose controls before placing the order
Adapt these planning prompts to the task. OSHA's control framework prioritizes elimination or substitution and engineering solutions ahead of administrative controls and PPE. Discuss feasibility with workers and avoid introducing new hazards. Control framework; noise-control examples.
- Elimination: Can an unnecessary noisy operation be removed?
- Substitution: Can a quieter tool or machine perform the needed work? Request noise information for the options under comparable operating conditions.
- Engineering: Assess a barrier, enclosure or isolation of the noise source where appropriate.
- Administrative: Where needed, plan limits on time spent at the noise source.
- PPE: Include suitable hearing protection where needed while stronger controls are developed or when those controls are not feasible. Do not treat a quieter purchase as proof that protection is no longer needed.
Team discussion and action plan
Adaptable discussion prompts: Which upcoming purchase or rental gives us a chance to reduce noise at its source? What do equipment users need the purchaser to ask the supplier? Confirm the applicable stop-work and no-retaliation procedures: how should someone raise an unresolved noise concern, and who will respond?
- Record the equipment and ask a user and purchaser to review options together. Owner: Assign together: ____ Due: Agree before selection: ____
- Record the information and any questions still needing answers. Owner: Assign together: ____ Due: Agree before ordering: ____
- Name who will verify effectiveness, record results and address remaining exposure. Owner: Assign together: ____ Due: Agree verification date: ____
OSHA recommends assigning responsibility, setting a completion date and verifying controls after implementation. Verification question: What measurements or evaluation will show that the chosen control reduces exposure during the actual task? Close-the-loop question: At our next review, what was completed, what remains unresolved, and who owns the next action? Control planning and follow-up.
Comprehension check: What should we compare before the next equipment purchase or rental? Compare quieter options and their noise information.
Sources
- OSHA proposes $446,864 in penalties for ModWash hazardous-energy and noise violations — OSHA. Accessed 2026-09-30. osha.gov
- Occupational Noise Exposure: choosing quieter equipment and other controls — OSHA. Accessed 2026-09-30. osha.gov
- Hazard Prevention and Control: selecting controls and verifying effectiveness — OSHA. Accessed 2026-09-30. osha.gov