‘Buy Quiet’ initiative aims to prevent worker hearing loss

Washington – NIOSH has released new web resources to highlight a program that encourages organizations to buy or rent quieter machinery and tools to help comply with OSHA noise regulations and reduce work-related noise-induced hearing loss.

Announced June 27, the materials – which include a video, posters and links to partner websites – illustrate the agency’s Buy Quiet initiative, explain how to establish a Buy Quiet program in the workplace and provide additional resources for finding quieter tools and machinery.

Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common work-related injury in the United States – about 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise at work each year, according to NIOSH. The institute says workers should not be exposed to noise more than 85 decibels for eight hours.

“Work-related noise-induced hearing loss is preventable and, with these new resources, NIOSH is working to help employers make better decisions that will have a lasting impact on the quality of life for their workers,” NIOSH Director John Howard said in a press release.