Legislation against Industrial and Ambient Noise in the US
Abstract
The Noise Control Act of 1972 established the national policy 'to promote an environment for all Americans free from noise that jeopardizes their public health and welfare.' The Act provides for a division of power between the Federal and State and local Governments: The primary Federal responsibility is for noise source emission control; states and other political sub-divisions retain the rights and authority to control the use of noise sources and the levels of noise permitted in their environment. Although an individual's workplace is a vital component of the overall human environment, the EPA, charged with the execution of the Noise Control Act, does not have jurisdiction over most occupational health and safety matters. They have been traditionally the responsibility of the Departments of Labor and Health, Education and Welfare. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1972 gives the Secretary of Labor the responsibility to set standards which adequately assure, to the extent feasible, that no employee will suffer material impairment of health or functional capacity in their working environment. The practical consequences of these legislations, their differences with respect to noise protection standards and their combined overall effectiveness in combating noise-induced health effects will be discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 1976
- Accession Number
- ADA031270
Entities
People
- A. Suter
- H. E. Von Gierke
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory