Chicago Workers' Compensation Attorney Blog

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it is withdrawing its proposed explanation, "Interpretation of OSHA's Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise."

The explanation would have clarified the term "feasible administrative or engineering controls" used for OSHA's noise standard. The proposal was published in the Federal Register in October. Clarification could have required better protection from Illinois work injuries caused by noise in the workplace.

OSHA wanted to augment earplugs with engineering and other administrative efforts to reduce noise in the workplace when such controls are feasible. OSHA wanted "feasible" to mean “capable of being done” or “achievable.”

Our Chicago workers' compensation attorneys have expressed our concerns on workplace hearing loss on prior posts to our Chicago Workers' Compensation Attorney Blog.

"Hearing loss caused by excessive noise levels remains a serious occupational health problem in this country," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "However, it is clear from the concerns raised about this proposal that addressing this problem requires much more public outreach and many more resources than we had originally anticipated. We are sensitive to the possible costs associated with improving worker protection and have decided to suspend work on this proposed modification while we study other approaches to abating workplace noise hazards."

Earlier this month Dr. Michaels met with members of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. A letter was sent by Senators Olympia Snowe and Joseph Lieberman prompting the meeting, these two senators also are co-chairs of the Senate Task Force on Manufacturing.

It is no surprise the senators are concerned, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hearing loss is the most common occupational illness in manufacturing. Over 16 million people work in manufacturing, which is about 13% of the U.S. workforce. There were 59,100 cases of occupational illnesses reported in the manufacturing industry; of them 17,700 were hearing loss cases. In order for OSHA to record hearing loss as an occupational illness, it must be proven that the hearing loss came from the work environment and the worker is now hearing impaired.

However, it is disheartening to see the government buckle to the demands of industry. Noise has been a significant problem since the dawn of manufacturing. It is past time for more significant workplace safeguards to be put in place.

Signs of hearing loss may include:

-Having to turn up the radio or TV volume.

-In a group setting you are missing parts of conversations.

-All words you hear aren't always clear.

-You think people are mumbling.