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In response to a request from the employees and Local 176 of the United Auto Workers, an investigation was begun into noise exposures in the main building at the Western States Machine Company (SIC-3559), Hamilton, Ohio. The company employed 68 production workers and manufactured industrial centrifugal equipment. Workers were concerned about the noise associated with an air compressor. A full shift noise survey was conducted using noise dosimeters. Noise measurements were also taken with a real time analyzer to determine the spectral content of specific activities. Over the 2 days of the visit, there were 26 full shift samples taken. Of these, 73% exceeded the NIOSH recommended exposure limit of 85 decibels-A for 8 hours. The OSHA action level was exceeded by 35%. The old air compressor was replaced with one which had lower levels of high frequency noise. Analysis of the noise suggested that the new compressor itself was not a significant contributor to the excessive noise levels at the site. The author concludes that a health hazard from noise exposure existed at the facility. The author recommended that a hearing conservation program be instituted.