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OSHA Wants to Strengthen Noise Pollution Policies

OSHA Wants to Strengthen Noise Pollution Policies
Currently, the word 'feasible' is what represents the noise standard policy, for the general and construction industries. The United States, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), wants to reinterpret the word, in order to increase and strengthen the noise pollution policies.

As per OSHA's current noise control standards, 'feasible' engineering or administrative controls ought to be used, in order to reduce noise to acceptable levels. Furthermore, the noise policies even promote the use of personal protective equipment, like ear muffs and ear plugs to protect workers and employees from any long term damages, due to constant exposure to loud noises.

But the drawback of the current policy is that it does not penalize organizations who fail to follow these noise control standards if the PPE is ineffective or the hearing conservation programs are too expensive. Thus, OSHA has put forth a proposal that would interpret the word 'feasible' as 'capable of being done'.

The agency has also revealed that nearly 30 million workers and employees are exposed to hazardous noise every year. Hence, many workers tend to suffer from permanent hear loss and high blood pressure. In order to curb the level of damage, OSHA has decided to take such serious measures.

Only time will tell if the proposal will be accepted by the Supreme Court or not.

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