Patterns and trends in OSHA occupational noise exposure measurements from 1979 to 2013

Abstract

ObjectivesNoise is one of the most common exposures, and occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is highly prevalent. In addition to NIHL, noise is linked to numerous non-auditory health effects. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) maintains the Integrated Management Information System (IMIS) database of compliance-related measurements performed in various industries across the USA. The goal of the current study was to describe and analyse personal noise measurements available through the OSHA IMIS, identifying industries with elevated personal noise levels or increasing trends in worker exposure over time.MethodsThrough a Freedom of Information Act request, we obtained OSHA’s noise measurements collected and stored in IMIS between 1979 and 2013 and analysed permissible exposure limit (PEL) and action level (AL) criteria measurements by two-digit industry code.ResultsThe manufacturing industry represented 87.8% of the 93 920 PEL measurements and 84.6% of the 58 073 AL measurements. The highest mean noise levels were found among the agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting industry for PEL (93.1 dBA) and the mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction group for AL (93.3 dBA). Overall, measurements generally showed a decreasing trend in noise levels and exceedances of AL and PEL by year, although this was not true for all industries.ConclusionsOur results suggest that, despite reductions in noise over time, further noise control interventions are warranted both inside and outside of the manufacturing industry. Further reductions in occupational noise exposures across many industries are necessary to continue to reduce the risk of occupational NIHL.

Occupational Diseases among Workers in Lower and Higher Socioeconomic Positions

“…Temporary and permanent incapacity for work due to work-related musculoskeletal disorders are higher for lower SEP compared with higher SEP, suggesting fewer opportunities to modify work tasks and working circumstances for lower SEP jobs. These findings are in line with evidence that work indeed explains socioeconomic inequalities in self-rated health among workers besides lifestyle factors [16], while differences in incidences of the specific ODs reflect the prevalence of risk factors in the lower SEP (e.g., noise levels [17] and biomechanical risk factors [18] and higher SEP (psychosocial risk factors [19]).…”

An overview of occupational noise-induced hearing loss among workers: epidemiology, pathogenesis, and preventive measures

“…Pure tone audiometric testing is used to detect and quantify the degree of ONIHL [ 88 ]. This provides a subjective measurement of hearing loss in individuals exposed to occupational noise and requires a voluntary response on the part of the person being tested [ 25 ].…”

“…When a discrepancy is present, ONIHL is commonly more severe in the left ear, although the reasons for this phenomenon are still unclear [ 4 ]. It is estimated that approximately 90% of the world population is right-handed [ 88 ]. Some arguments have been raised that a person with right-handedness may be more likely to leave the left ear turned toward a noise-source from machine engine [ 41 ].…”

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

“…From the initiation of enforcement actions until the present day, the agency has regularly encountered violations of these noise standards. Although several industry‐specific OSHA noise‐exposure measurement analyses exist, 5,7 no comprehensive analysis of OSHA noise standard violations has been performed for all industries.…”