Final Regulatory Analysis of the Hearing Conservation Amendment

摘要

For the present OSHA will leave the permissible exposure limit and compliance mechanisms of the current noise standard unchanged. The proposed hearing conservation amendments are designed to provide increased protection to noise-exposed workers. Hearing conservation includes noise exposure monitoring, audiometric testing, the use of hearing protection devices where necessary and employee education. Benefits such as the prevention of the material impairment of health, improved workplace safety, reduced absenteeism, and increased worker productivity are discussed in this regulatory analysis. Reduction in medical costs and workers' compensation payments would also take place. On the other side, costs of compliance including monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protectors, training programs, warning signs and recordkeeping are calculated to be about $270 million a year. Taking into account monies already spent, OSHA estimates that the new compliance costs will not exceed about 254 million a year (or $53 per affected worker) and most likely will fall below this level. Appendices show sample cost calculation and calculation of the number of hearing impairments. Economic impact and resource availability are also addressed. Alternatives are presented.