OSHA Alliance in Massachusetts Aims to Save Hearing
Reducing noise hazards for employees in central and western Massachusetts is the goal of a new alliance among OSHA's Springfield Area Office, American Safety and Supply Inc. of Springfield, and Industrial Hearing Testing of Auburn, Mass.
"Continual exposure to high noise levels can lead to hearing loss," said Mary Hoye, OSHA's area director in Springfield. "The key to preventing hearing loss is in knowing how to identify, address, and minimize workplace noise hazards, be that workplace a factory, construction site, or other venue."
Under the alliance, OSHA, ASSI, and IHT will work jointly to develop and deliver training and education programs, educational materials, and resources to the region's employers that will focus on noise-related safety and health issues, and preventing hearing loss in both construction and general industry workplaces. The first training session is expected to be held later this spring. The alliance, announced yesterday, was signed at IHS headquarters in Auburn by Hoye, ASSI President Chris Caron, and IHT President Scott Hengen. Central and western Massachusetts employers and others seeking more information about this or other OSHA alliances in the area should contact the compliance assistance specialist in OSHA's Springfield Area Office at 413-785-0123.
"This unique partnership seeks to take a comprehensive and effective approach to reducing noise hazards in the region's workplaces by equipping employers and employees with the knowledge and ability to prevent hearing losses in the first place," said Hoye.