Noise-related hearing loss has been listed as one of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the U.S. for more than 25 years. According to the CDC, an estimated 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work, and 9 million more are exposed to totoxic chemicals.
Penalties for violations of OSHA’s 29 CFR 1910.95 Occupational Noise Exposure Standard totaled $1,396,402 across all industries during the period October 2013 through September 2014. The manufacturing sector generated the largest amount of citations and penalties, followed by wholesale trade; administrative and support and waste management and remediation services; construction; agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting; retail trade; transportation and warehousing; public administration; other services (except public administration); and mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction.