OSHA’s NYC Region renews emphasis program on hazardous noise
New York — OSHA’s New York City Region has renewed its emphasis program on worker exposure to noise.
The REP, set to expire in September 2029, has added or expanded its targeted industries based on the most recent data from OSHA and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The new industries added to the REP, by 2022 North American Industry Classification System codes, are:
- Dog/cat food manufacturing (3111)
- Dairy product manufacturing (3115)
- Tortilla manufacturing (31183)
- Other food manufacturing (3119)
- Tobacco manufacturing (3122)
- Apparel knitting mills (3151)
- Ethyl alcohol manufacturing (325193)
- Nonmetallic mineral product manufacturing (327)
- Agricultural implement manufacturing (333111)
- Household and institutional furniture and kitchen cabinet manufacturing (3371)
The REP has expanded for the following industries:
- Fruit and vegetable preserving and specialty food manufacturing (3114)
- Paper manufacturing (322)
- Plastics product manufacturing (326)
- Fabricated metal product manufacturing (332)
- Transportation equipment manufacturing (336)
The REP remains the same for:
- Grain and oilseed milling (3112)
- Sugar and confectionery product manufacturing (3113)
- Animal slaughtering and processing (3116)
- Seafood product preparation and packaging (3117)
- Textile mills (313)
- Wood product manufacturing (321)
- Primary metal manufacturing (331)
- Mechanical power transmission equipment manufacturing (333613)
The REP consists of outreach to covered employers and employees about high levels of noise hazards, as well as targeted inspections.
“It is estimated that 22 million workers are exposed to potentially damaging noise at work each year and thousands of workers suffer from preventable hearing loss due to high workplace noise levels,” the REP directive states. “In 2022, the BLS reported more than 15,000 cases of work-related hearing loss. Seventy percent of these cases occurred in the manufacturing industry. Exposure to high noise levels can cause permanent hearing loss. High noise levels also cause temporary hearing loss, sensitivity, tinnitus and acoustical trauma.”
The previous REP went into effect in October 2019.
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