Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards Recognize the New York City's Noise Mitigation Rule

Contact: Christina Spring, (202) 245-0633
May 17, 2010

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), in partnership with the National Hearing Conservation Association (NHCA), presented the New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. the 2010 Safe-in-Sound AwardT in the category for Innovation in Hearing Loss Prevention in the Construction Sector.

The New York City Department of Environmental Protection and Parsons Brinckerhoff, Inc. were recognized for their combined efforts in developing, implementing and overseeing the New York City Construction Noise Mitigation Rule. The rule, which is a result of a mayoral charge to update the New York City's Noise Code, established noise emission limits and mitigation measures for all city construction and also proactively addressed work-related exposures. The award was presented at the Building Trades Employers' Association Leadership dinner on May ^18th 2010.

"Our nation relies on construction workers and ensuring their safety and health on the worksite is critical for the health of our workers and our nation," said NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard. "This year's winners demonstrate the important impact partnerships have in improving the safety and health of construction workers and avoiding preventable injuries."

Work-related hearing loss is a permanent but preventable problem. The Safe-in-Sound Excellence in Hearing Loss Prevention Awards^™ honors hearing loss prevention programs in the construction, manufacturing, and service sectors. In addition, it recognizes individuals or organizations for innovation in hearing loss prevention and their dedication to fostering and implementing new and unique advances in the prevention of hearing loss.

The Safe-in-Sound Awards Expert Committee (comprised of experts in the fields of public health, hearing loss prevention, audiology, and industrial hygiene), evaluates applicants against key performance indicators. Examples include: development and adoption of new strategies for hearing loss prevention; demonstration of increased awareness of the value of healthy hearing and the prevention of hearing loss and tinnitus; documented reduction in noise levels and hearing loss registered longitudinally; and the use of a participatory approach between workers and employers.

Nominations for the next awards will be accepted until September ^1st, 2010. For further information please visit www.safeinsound.us.

Through research and the NORA cross-sector program, NIOSH has developed a number of resources to assist workers and employers in reducing noise exposure as well as in finding and fitting the proper kind of hearing protection and determining hazardous levels of noise. NIOSH recommends removing hazardous noise from the workplace whenever possible and using hearing protectors in those situations where dangerous noise exposures have not yet been controlled or eliminated. For more information about noise and hearing loss prevention research at NIOSH please visit http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/noise/abouthlp/abouthlp.html.

NIOSH is the federal agency that conducts research and makes recommendations for preventing work-related injuries and illnesses. Mention of any company or product does not constitute endorsement by NIOSH. More information about NIOSH can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/.