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. 2006 May;63(5):343-51.
doi: 10.1136/oem.2005.024588. Epub 2006 Mar 21.

Noise exposure and hearing loss prevention programmes after 20 years of regulations in the United States

W E Daniell  1 , S S Swan, M M McDaniel, J E Camp, M A Cohen, J G Stebbins
Affiliations

Noise exposure and hearing loss prevention programmes after 20 years of regulations in the United States

W E Daniell et al. Occup Environ Med. 2006 May.

Erratum in

  • Occup Environ Med. 2006 Jun;63(6):436

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate noise exposures and hearing loss prevention efforts in industries with relatively high rates of workers' compensation claims for hearing loss.

Methods: Washington State workers' compensation records were used to identify up to 10 companies in each of eight industries. Each company (n = 76) was evaluated by a management interview, employee personal noise dosimetry (n = 983), and employee interviews (n = 1557).

Results: Full-shift average exposures were > or =85 dBA for 50% of monitored employees, using Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) parameters with a 5 dB exchange rate (L(ave)), but 74% were > or =85 dBA using a 3 dB exchange rate (L(eq)). Only 14% had L(ave) > or =90 dBA, but 42% had L(eq) > or =90 dBA. Most companies conducted noise measurements, but most kept no records, and consideration of noise controls was low in all industries. Hearing loss prevention programmes were commonly incomplete. Management interview scores (higher score = more complete programme) showed significant associations with percentage of employees having L(ave) > or =85 dBA and presence of a union (multiple linear regression; R2 = 0.24). Overall, 62% of interviewed employees reported always using hearing protection when exposed. Protector use showed significant associations with percentage of employees specifically required to use protection, management score, and average employee time spent > or =95 dBA (R2 = 0.65).

Conclusions: The findings raise serious concerns about the adequacy of prevention, regulation, and enforcement strategies in the United States. The percentage of workers with excessive exposure was 1.5-3 times higher using a 3 dB exchange rate instead of the OSHA specified 5 dB exchange rate. Most companies gave limited or no attention to noise controls and relied primarily on hearing protection to prevent hearing loss; yet 38% of employees did not use protectors routinely. Protector use was highest when hearing loss prevention programmes were most complete, indicating that under-use of protection was, in some substantial part, attributable to incomplete or inadequate company efforts.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests: John Stebbins is a current employee, and William Daniell and Martin Cohen are former employees, of the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (DLI). Statements in this paper do not necessarily represent opinions of the DLI. Mary McDaniel is the owner of Pacific Hearing Conservation, which provides industrial audiology services to employers in Washington State.

References

    1. US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Criteria for a recommended standard: occupational noise exposure. Revised criteria, 1998. DHHS/NIOSH Pub No 98‐126. Cincinnati, OH: Department of Health and Human Services, 1998
    1. Daniell W E, Fulton‐Kehoe D, Cohen M.et al Increased reporting of occupational hearing loss: workers' compensation in Washington State, 1984–1998. Am J Ind Med 200242502–510. - PubMed
    1. US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational noise exposure. Standard 1910.95. In: Regulations; Standards, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 29. Washington, DC: OSHA. http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table = STANDARDS&p_id = 9735 (accessed 29 July 2005)
    1. Washington State Department of L a b o r, Industries ( D L I ) Hearing loss prevention (noise) rule. Chapter 296‐817. In Washington Administrative Code (WAC) Olympia, WA, DLI. http://www.lni.wa.gov/wisha/rules/noise/default.htm
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