[OScubed]

So far most of the complaints that were registered in this thread had to do with 2 things:

1) On-field noise so loud team members and team coaches couldn't hear each other.

OR (more frequently)

2) The giant speakers aimed at audiences caused the sound level to be too loud to hear each other talk, hear team cheers, and caused significant ringing and temporary loss of hearing in the ears for those who spent long hours in the stands.

Although it's wonderful of extech to volunteer equipment to monitor it, and we realize OSHA doesn't publish standards for events , this is not really just an event. Regionals and nationals last for more than 8 hours for several days in a row. This represents a significant cumulative decible level (which is what OSHA normally measures - as opposed to momentary levels). It's how long and at what sustained volume.

This needs to be addressed at the top levels by FIRST safety officials who should release guidelines both for measuring the levels and for enforcing the volume restrictions at both national and regional events. They monitor and make rules on every other aspect of safety, this should be no different.