Health Standards for Occupational Noise Exposure

This proposed rule would replace MSHA's existing standards for occupational noise exposure in coal mines and in metal and nonmetal mines with a single new standard applicable to all mines. This action is part of the Agency's ongoing review of its safety and health standards. The review found that the Agency's existing noise standards, which had been promulgated more than 20 years ago, are inadequate to prevent the occurrence of occupational noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) among miners. There remains a significant risk to miners of material impairment of health from workplace exposure to noise over a working lifetime. The risk becomes significant when exposure exceeds an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 dBA.