Analysis of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) noise standard violations over 50 years: 1972 to 2019

Abstract

Introduction: Noise exposure has long been an occupational health concern and has been an important area of focus of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) since its founding. Nevertheless, it remains unclear what effects OSHA's noise standards have had on employer efforts to reduce risks. Consequently, a review of OSHA noise standard violations was performed to clarify the violation trends between 1972 and 2019. Methods: Using the OSHA Information System, researchers identified 119 305 violations involving four noise standards between 1972 and 2019: 29 CFR 1910.95, occupational noise exposure in general industry; 1926.52, occupational noise exposure in construction; 1926.101, hearing protection in construction, and 1904.10, recording criteria for cases involving occupational hearing loss. Violation frequencies of noise standard subparagraphs and relationships to factors such as industry differences were analyzed using descriptive statistics and t tests.Results: The most commonly violated noise standard was 1910.95 in manufacturing.Such violations rose between 1972 and 1985 and then declined steadily. Whether in general industry or construction, four noise standards were most-frequently cited: lack of feasible administrative or engineering controls (1910.95[b] and 1926.52[d]) and inadequate hearing conservation program (1910.95[c] and 1926.52[b]). These violations were more highly penalized (mean = $1036.50) than other subparagraph violations (mean = $915.80). Programmed and unprogrammed inspections generated similar violation quantities except between 1980 and 1985, when programmed inspections exhibited a sharp spike in violations. Conclusion:The study identified trends in OSHA noise standard violations and possible explanations for those trends. The study findings can support development of more practical noise-exposure protection policy.

Seguridad y salud en el trabajo para operarios de maquinaria pesada en la industria de la construcción

“…Para evitar los incidentes en el campo laboral es necesario aplicar las normas de seguridad OSHA. Al seguirlas, los trabajadores reducen el número de accidentes ocurridos o, en su defecto, la gravedad de muchas lesiones que ocurren por algún incidente (53,54).…”

Time-Trends of U.S. Occupational Noise Standard Violations by OSHA Region and Industry Type

“…About 50 years ago, OSHA promulgated four Occupational Noise Exposure Standards: (a) 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure; (b) 29 CFR 1926.52, Occupational noise exposure; (c) 29 CFR 1926.101, Hearing protection; and (d) 29 CFR 1904.10, Recording criteria for cases involving occupational hearing loss. OSHA has also employed various approaches to manage NIHL at the individual company level 5 . Strong evidence exists for the effectiveness of a number of occupational health and safety regulations with respect to reducing injuries and occupational health disparities as well as improving compliance with applicable laws 6,7 .…”

“…Moreover, studies evaluating enforcement tools have been insufficient, and only two studies have proposed the need for OSHA noise-related enforcement actions 9,10 . In an extensive literature review, we identified only one study that investigated the extent of violations of the above four OSHA Noise Standards to reveal violation trends between 1972 and 2019 5 …”

“…9,10 In an extensive literature review, we identified only one study that investigated the extent of violations of the above four OSHA Noise Standards to reveal violation trends between 1972 and 2019. 5 The prevalence rates of occupational NIHL have differed by industrial type over time. 1 In particular, industrial change has strongly affected the prevalence of NIHL cases in American workplaces.…”

“…OSHA has also employed various approaches to manage NIHL at the individual company level. 5 Strong evidence exists for the effectiveness of a number of occupational health and safety regulations with respect to reducing injuries and occupational health disparities as well as improving compliance with applicable laws. 6,7 However, uncertainties remain regarding how effective and efficient occupational safety and health regulations and legislation have been in terms of enforcement action.…”