In the beginning of the year, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced it was not going to make any changes to the Provisions for Feasible Administrative or Engineering Controls of Occupational Noise. They were at one time going to interpret the regulations to help to clarify what exactly “feasible administrative or engineering controls” meant. These changes and this clarification were going to help reduce the risks of hearing-related accidents and other work accidents in Atlanta and elsewhere.”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.
Our Georgia workers compensation attorneys understand that OSHA decided to withdraw from its commitment to update these provisions because it required more resources and more public outreach than they had originally anticipated. They stated that the administration was going to have to do a little bit more research on work-related noise hazards and prevention strategies before it was able to make any changes to the provision.
Now, OSHA released a statement saying it was going to hold an informal OSHA stakeholder meeting to encourage suggestions and comments about work-related, hearing-loss prevention tactics. OSHA is asking stakeholders to share their thoughts and ideas for potential hearing conservation programs, which could include engineering controls and advances in personal protective equipment. The stakeholder meeting will be held Nov. 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Washington, D.C.
It is estimated that nearly 25,000 workers lose their hearing because of work-related incidents every year. To help to prevent these types of accidents, OSHA is asking for input from public health professionals, noise control experts, workers and employers.
Meeting Information:
Location: Frances Perkins Building, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-4437 A/B/C/D Address: 200 Constitution Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C.
Contact: You can Register online. Or call (781) 674-7374 or send a fax to (781) 674-7200.
Fax Cover Letter: “Attention: OSHA Preventing Occupational Hearing Loss Stakeholder Meeting.” Be sure to include the stakeholder’s name, contact information and the affiliated company or organization.
All participants must complete the registration information before Oct. 27.
OSHA pulled the interpretation’s proposal back in January, but said it would continue to:
-Thoroughly review all of the comments and concerns that are submitted in response to the Federal Register notice.
-Hold the stakeholders meeting.
-Work closely with experts from the National Academy of Engineering and the National Institute for Occupational Safety for more research on the topic.
-Continue to research and enforce current regulations in an effort to make sure that the guidance and information regarding controls for dangerous noise levels are effective and inexpensive for employers and employees.
Hearing-related work accidents are very serious and can change a workers life forever. If you’ve experienced an accident on the job, it is critical for you to contact an experienced attorney to help you to fight for the compensation you deserve.
If you or someone you love has been injured at work in the Atlanta area and would like to discuss your rights, contact the experienced Atlanta workers’ compensation attorneys at J. Franklin Burns. Call 404-920-4708 to make a free appointment to discuss your claim.
