3 - Noise control regulations

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the noise control regulations. Through the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Noise Control Act of 1972, Congress gave the federal government the regulatory tools to control noise. The Noise Control Act created the federal noise abatement and control effort. The Act gave the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the authority to develop noise control methods and carry out the policy of the Act. EPA is given authority to prescribe and amend standards limiting noise generation characteristics. EPA may issue regulations for products in other categories if it is necessary to protect the public health or welfare. EPA is also given authority to review and recommend changes to the aircraft noise standards. Exposure to noise in the workplace is governed by rules promulgated by the Occupational safety and health act (OSHA). In 1974, OSHA proposed amendments to the current noise standard. The proposal continues the current 90 dBA level for 8 hours, but exposure to 85 dBA noise levels would be limited to 16 hours. If employees are exposed to excessive noise levels, exceeding the proposal, engineering and administrative controls must be used to reduce employee exposure within permissible limits. Therefore, as with other OSHA recordkeeping and access requirements, copies of the OSHA standard must be made available to employees.