Oregon's Autzen Stadium so loud employees must sign waiver
Most people aren’t familiar with the OSHA (Occupational Safety & Health Administration) rules on time-weighted average sound levels. But those who work in or near Oregon’s Autzen Stadium get to know OSHA’s section 1910.95 App A quite well.
Why? Because they have to sign a waiver saying they won’t sue the university over the raucous sound coming from the Eugene stadium.
As Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich told The Oregonian columnist John Canzano recently, he signs the waiver every year.
Stadium Spotlight: What makes Oregon's Autzen Stadium so loud?
Athletic department spokesperson Craig Pintens tells SI.com that the OSHA requires it.
“Autzen has been tested for noise exposure, and it was determined that the TWA (time-weighted average sound levels) was exceeded and all university employees who work down on the field and/or within the perimeter of the stadium must be included in the program,” he says.
Employees can either take an audiogram hearing test or simply sign a waiver. That waiver will be put to good use as Autzen gets rocking Thursday night when the Ducks host Arizona.
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Tim Newcomb covers stadiums, design and gear for Sports Illustrated. Follow him on Twitter at @tdnewcomb.
