OSHA to host stakeholder meeting about occupational hearing loss
OSHA has announced plans for an informal stakeholder meeting to solicit comments and suggestions on occupational hearing loss prevention. The agency says the purpose of the public meeting is to provide a forum and gather information from stakeholders on best practices for hearing conservation programs, personal protective equipment, and feasible engineering controls. The meeting will take place in Washington, D.C on November 3, 2011, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
"Between 20,000 and 25,000 workers suffer preventable hearing loss every year due to high workplace noise levels," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "In January, OSHA launched an education, outreach and consultation initiative on preventing work-related hearing loss. As part of that initiative, OSHA committed to holding this stakeholder meeting to elicit the views of employers, workers, noise control experts and public health professionals."