On November 19, OSHA announced the comment period for the re-interpretation of the OSHA noise abatement requirements would be extended by 90 days (from December 20) in response to business concerns. The reinterpretation would require significant new, costly engineering controls to abate noise.
National groups, including the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), are taking a leading role in advocating against these federal government regulations. The NAM reported this week that OSHA has indicated that it will issue citations for employers found in non-compliance. Unless employers can prove to OSHA inspectors that the controls would put their company out of business or that they would be impossible to make -- a task for which there are no clear guidelines or standards -- companies will be forced to put the costly new requirements into effect.
The NAM has organized forums for manufacturers to educate congressional staff of the harmful effects of the regulations on December 7 in Washington, D.C. Concerned manufacturers can contact the NAM to participate in either a 10:30 a.m. session or a 2:00 p.m. session.
