EMPLOYMENT LAW: OSHA Withdraws Noise Plan Standards at Work

January 19, 2011

WASHINGTON – The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has announced Wednesday that it is dropping the proposed noise plan standards at work.

Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA, David Michaels said that although hearing loss among employees is an injury that needs to be prevented, employers also need to determine how to solve this problem without shedding out too much money.

OSHA’s move came one day after President Barrack Obama told government agencies to review pending policies that could hinder business and job growth.

The workplace noise plan proposal, which was announced Dec. 14, drew negative comments from several companies and groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers.

NAM said the proposed noise plan would oblige employers to “make sweeping changes to their workplaces” such as installing new equipment, and utilizing new workplace practices and schedules. It said these changes would divert company resources away from job creation and company expansion.