Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for High Noise in Manufacturing Industries

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF LABOR Occupational Safety and Health Administration

DIRECTIVE NUMBER: DAL – CPL 04-00-004
SUBJECT: Regional Emphasis Program for High Noise in Manufacturing Industries
REGION: Dallas Region
SIGNATURE DATE: July 7, 2026 EFFECTIVE DATE: July 7, 2026

ABSTRACT

Purpose: This Instruction updates and renews a Regional Emphasis Program (REP)
for inspections targeting health hazards associated with high noise levels
and other industry-recognized hazards in the following manufacturing
industries: NAICS 321, Wood Product Manufacturing; NAICS 326,
Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing; NAICS 3273, Cement and
Concrete Product Manufacturing; NAICS 327, Nonmetallic Mineral
Product Manufacturing; and NAICS 327991, Cut Stone and Stone Product
Manufacturing.

Scope: This Instruction applies to all Area Offices in the Dallas Region and to
worksites in New Mexico that are under Federal jurisdiction.

References: OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-025
OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-170
OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-164
OSHA Instruction CPL 04-00-002

Cancellations: Region VI Regional Instruction CPL 2 02-00-023 dated January 1, 2023,
Regional Emphasis Program for High Noise Industries.

State Impact: Dallas Region 21(d) Consultation Project Offices in Oklahoma, New
Mexico and Texas will provide outreach, consultation services, and
training to affected employers as requested.

Action Offices: Dallas Region Area Offices
Dallas Region Consultation Project Offices
Dallas Regional Office

Information Office: New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau

Originating Office: Dallas Regional Office

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Contact: Assistant Regional Administrator for Enforcement Programs
525 S. Griffin Street, Room 602
Dallas, Texas 75202-5007
(972) 850-4145

By and Under the Authority of

ERIC S. HARBIN
Regional Administrator

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Executive Summary

This Instruction updates and renews a Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for inspections
targeting health hazards associated with high noise levels and other industry-recognized hazards
in the following manufacturing industries.

Significant Changes

Update OSHA Information System inspection numbers for this instruction.

Table of Contents

Abstract Cover Page
I.

Purpose

1
II.

Scope

1
III.

References

1
IV.

Cancellations

2
V.

Action Offices

2
A.

Responsible Offices

2
B.

Action Offices

2
C.

Information Offices

2
VI.

Federal Program Change

2
VII.

Expiration

2
VIII.

Significant Changes

2
IX.

Background

2
X.

Enforcement

3
A.

Hazards

3
B.

Scheduling Inspections

3
C.

Scope of REP Inspections

4
D.

Citations

4
E.

Interface with Unprogrammed Activity

4
F.

Inspection Resources

4
G.

CSHO Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

4
H.

Relationship with Other Programs

4
XI.

Recording in OIS

4
XII.

Outreach

5
XIII.

Partnerships and Alliances

5
XIV.

Evaluation

5

1

I. Purpose.
This Instruction updates and renews a Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for inspections
targeting health hazards associated with high noise levels and other industry-recognized
hazards in the following manufacturing industries.

321 Wood Product Manufacturing Containers.
326 Miscellaneous Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing.
3261 Concrete, Gypsum, Plaster Products.
327 Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing.
327991 Cut Stone & Stone Products.

Note: The Dallas Region currently maintains a REP for Fabricated Metal Products
(NAICS 332), excluding machinery and transportation equipment industries. The
Fabricated Metal Products REP includes, in part, Fabricated Structural Metal Products
and Miscellaneous Fabricated Metal Products. These two industries were identified
among the top eight industries in OSHA’s Industry Profile for Standard 1910.95,
Occupational Noise Exposure. Because the Fabricated Metal Products REP already
covers NAICS 332, these industries have been excluded from this High Noise REP to
avoid duplicative enforcement activities.

II. Scope.
This Instruction applies to all Area Offices in the Dallas Region and to worksites in New
Mexico that are under Federal jurisdiction.

III. References.
A. OSHA Instruction CPL 04-00-002, Procedures for Approval of Local Emphasis
Programs (LEPs), November 13, 2018, or current update.

B. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-164, Field Operations Manual (FOM), April 14, 2020,
or current update.

C. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-025, Scheduling System for Programmed Inspections,
January 4, 1995, or current update.

D. OSHA Instruction CPL 02-00-170, Enforcement Exemptions and Limitations under
the Appropriations Act, July 18, 2024, or current update.

E. OSHA Standards at Subpart G – Occupational Health and Environmental Control.

F. NIOSH – Industrial Noise Control Manual.

G. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (NIOSH) Publication Occupational
Hearing Loss (OHL) Surveillance Overall Statistics – All U.S. Industries, May 31,
2024.

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IV. Cancellations.
A. Region VI Regional Instruction CPL 2 02-00-023 dated January 1, 2023, Regional
Emphasis Program for High Noise Industries.

V. Action Offices.
A. Responsible Office.
Dallas Regional Office

B. Action Office.
Dallas Region Area Offices
Dallas Region Consultation Project Offices
Dallas Regional Office

C. Information Offices.
New Mexico Occupational Health and Safety Bureau

VI. Federal Program Change.
State Plan Programs are strongly encouraged to adopt this program.

VII. Expiration.
This instruction expires on March 30, 2029, and may be renewed as necessary.

VIII. Significant Changes.
Update OSHA Information System inspection numbers.

IX. Background.
A NIOSH publication, Occupational Hearing Loss (OHL) Surveillance: Overall
Statistics—All U.S. Industries, indicates that an estimated 40 million workers have been
exposed to hazardous noise levels, and 53% of noise-exposed workers report not wearing
hearing protection. Approximately 12% of all workers have hearing difficulties, while
about 8% experience tinnitus. About 25% of all workers have been exposed to hazardous
noise, with 14% (22 million workers) exposed within the last year. According to the
Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupational hearing loss continues to be a critical issue.

Each year, between 20,000 and 25,000 workers suffer preventable hearing loss due to
high noise levels in the workplace. Noise-induced hearing loss has been identified as one
of the most prevalent occupational health concerns in the United States for more than 30
years. Trends in hearing loss across all industries combined decreased by less than 1%
over the 30-year period from 1981 to 2010. Incidence rates for all industries combined
decreased by 2% over the 25-year period from 1986 to 2010, and the adjusted risk across
all industries combined decreased by 46% during that same period.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that nearly 125,000 workers have suffered
significant, permanent hearing loss since 2004. Neither surgery nor hearing aids can
correct this type of hearing loss.

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X. Enforcement.
A. Hazards.
High noise levels that induce employee hearing loss.

B. Scheduling Inspections.
1. REP Inspection List. The high-noise establishment list will consist of all
establishments identified on the 2025 lists developed by the Office of Statistical
Analysis for NAICS groups 321, 326, and 327.

2. Inspection Cycle. If fewer than ten establishments are identified for inspection, all
establishments will be treated as a single inspection cycle and inspected, subject
to the deletion criteria below. If more than ten establishments are identified for
inspection, the establishments will first be listed in alphabetical order and then
randomized using a random number table. The randomized list will then be
divided into groups of ten establishments, with each group constituting an
inspection cycle. After the Area Office completes inspections of the worksites
identified in the first cycle under this REP, the Area Office may, if resources
permit and the first cycle of inspections is determined to be effective, conduct
inspections in subsequent cycles.

3. Inspection Order. Establishments within an inspection cycle may be inspected in
any order to ensure the efficient use of Area Office resources. Once an inspection
cycle begins, all establishments in that cycle are to be inspected before a new
cycle is started, except that carryovers will be permitted as provided in OSHA
Instruction CPL 02-00-025.

Deletions. The Area Office will delete from the inspection list any establishment
that has received a comprehensive health inspection after January 1, 2025,
provided that no citation, or other written notice of a hazard related to high noise
was issued because of that inspection. If such a citation or written notice of hazard
was issued, the Area Office may, at its discretion, delete the establishment after
verifying that the hazard or condition has been satisfactorily abated. The Area
Office shall document in writing the basis for any deletions from the inspection
list.

4. Employer Size. Establishments with ten or fewer employees will be included in
this program because of the insidious nature of high-noise hazards. Inspection
procedures and protocols outlined in the FOM will be followed with respect to
these high-noise-related inspections. Safety violations identified under this
program will be addressed in accordance with CPL 02-00-170, Enforcement
Exemptions and Limitations under the Appropriations Act.

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C. Scope of REP Inspections. Inspections conducted under this emphasis program will
focus on manufacturing areas where employees may be exposed to high noise
hazards. Other apparent health and safety hazards observed by the CSHO, including
respirable crystalline silica, will also be evaluated. If the CSHO’s evaluation indicates
that a more comprehensive inspection should be conducted at the worksite, the CSHO
will request authorization to expand the inspection from the Area Director or
Assistant Area Director. In determining whether to approve the expansion, the Area
Director or Assistant Area Director will follow the FOM and current agency policy.
CSHOs will evaluate on-site employees through inspection, observation,
photographs, video footage, measurements, and interviews with management and
employees.

D. Citations. Citations for violations will be issued in accordance with the FOM,
Chapters IV, V, VI, and VII.

E. Interface with Unprogrammed Activity. Reports of imminent danger, fatalities,
catastrophes, complaints, and referrals shall be scheduled as unprogrammed
inspections and conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the FOM.

F. Inspection Resources. All OSHA personnel participating in this REP must be
familiar with the policies and procedures set forth in this Instruction.

G. CSHO Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). CSHOs must use hearing protection
when conducting inspections in these targeted industries. Additional PPE appropriate
to the targeted industries shall also be worn. At a minimum, such PPE shall include
respiratory protection, a hard hat, safety glasses with side shields, and safety shoes or
boots, with metatarsal guards as necessary.
H. Relationship with Other Programs. Reports of imminent danger,
fatalities/catastrophes, complaints, and referrals shall be scheduled as unprogrammed
inspections and conducted in accordance with the applicable provisions of the FOM.
This does not, however, limit the Area Office’s authority to conduct an inspection
under this REP at any establishment selected pursuant to this program. If an
unprogrammed inspection is initiated at a facility that is also included in the current
inspection cycle under this REP, the Area Office may conduct the inspections
concurrently.

XI. Recording in OIS.
A. Enforcement Inspections. Enforcement inspections completed under this initiative
will be coded in OIS as follows:
In the Inspection Type sub-tab:
1. Initiating Type. Inspections will be coded as “Programmed Planned,” except
that any inspection conducted because of a complaint, referral, or
fatality/catastrophe will be coded as the appropriate unprogrammed activity.
2. Local Emphasis Program. “NOISE” will be entered for all programmed and
unprogrammed inspections.
3. Additional Codes. Any other applicable additional codes will also be entered.

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B. Enforcement Interventions. Enforcement interventions completed under this
initiative, including partnerships, alliances, Voluntary Protection Programs, and other
interventions, will be coded in OIS as follows:
In the Task sub-tab, under Task Details, Emphasis Areas:
1. Local Emphasis Programs. Enter code “NOISE.”
2. Other Emphasis Areas. Enter any other applicable codes, including codes
specific to the general industry activity covered by the inspection.

C. Consultation Visits. Consultation visits completed under this initiative will be coded
as follows:
1. In OIS, on the Request Form CONS-20:
a. Local Emphasis will be coded “NOISE.”

D. Field 18 will include any other applicable codes, as well as codes specific to the
general industry covered by the inspection.

E. Consultation Interventions. Consultation interventions completed under this
initiative will be coded as follows:
In OIS, on the Consultation Intervention Form CONS-66:
1. Local Emphasis will be coded “NOISE.”
2. Field 15 will include any other applicable codes, as well as codes specific to
the general industry covered by the inspection.

a. Area Offices, Consultation Projects, and the Regional Office shall periodically
review their OIS databases to ensure the accuracy of data related to this initiative.

XII. Outreach.
All REPs must include an outreach component that remains ongoing throughout the
effective period of the program. These outreach efforts should be coordinated with or
include the consultation program for the area. The method of outreach is at the Area
Director’s discretion and may consist of one or more of the following components:
1. Broadcast mailings or distribution of program information.
2. Stakeholder meetings.
3. Targeted training sessions.
4. Presentations to affected group(s).

XIII. Partnerships and Alliances.
If outreach efforts generate interest in developing an alliance or partnership, the Area
Director will ensure that such efforts conform to current National and Regional policy.

XIV. Evaluation.
The Regional Office will evaluate the impact of the REP at the midpoint of the program
and again at its expiration. Information and data from OIS, together with input from the
Area Directors, will be used in the program reports. The elements to be considered in the
program reports are set forth in OSHA Instruction CPL 04-00-002.