Hearing Loss Data for 2008 Shows Little Change
Lee D. Hager, CAOHC Council Chair
From NHCA Spectrum
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) released the compiled 2008 workplace injury and illness statistics in October 2009. Since the revision to 29CFR1904.10 in 2003, hearing loss has been tabulated as a separate entry on Form 300, enabling tracking of trends in this specific area of workplace health and safety separate from other workplace issues.
The 2009 report shows little change from previous reports. About 22,000 cases of recordable hearing loss (a change in hearing of 10 dB or more from the baseline test resulting in hearing threshold levels of 25 dB or greater) were reflected in the BLS report. This downward trend in recordable hearing loss from previous years was echoed in the overall workplace illness trend, as reflected in the chart.
Hearing loss retains its rank as the second most prevalent specific workplace illness, with only skin disorders (dermatitis, etc.) reflecting more occurrences in 2008.
Since the revised recordkeeping requirements came into full effect in 2004, over 125,000 workers have been reported with significant, permanent, disabling hearing loss.
Manufacturing Shows Most Hearing Losses
As previously, the manufacturing sector (North American Industry Classification System or NAICS codes 31 to 33) reported the greatest number of hearing loss cases. Of the 22,000 or so hearing losses indicated by BLS, over 17,500 were from the manufacturing sectors. The industry subsectors with the greatest number of hearing loss cases and prevalence in each is indicated in the table.
Overall prevalence since 2004 is reflected here, and shows no change in the number of hearing losses per 1000 workers from 2007.
Are the Data Meaningful?
Questions about the sufficiency and validity of Form 300 reporting have colored the interpretation of the information provided by BLS.
Rather than tabulating the number of injury and illness cases reported by employers on their Form 300s, BLS uses a survey format to collect
the information they collate and provide annually.
This process involves developing a secondary survey, which is sent to a small sample (about ½ of 1%) of employers. The secondary sample responds to BLS, who then extrapolates this small survey to total employment in each NAICS sector to develop the estimates provided here. Sample selection can significantly bias final results.
In addition, the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) has expressed concern over the accuracy of even the initial Form 300 reports. OSHA has launched a national emphasis program to scrutinize the way workplace illnesses and injuries are reported, and to try to improve compliance with reporting requirements. See http://www.osha.gov/recordkeeping/odi-background.html for detailed information on the OSHA initiative.