Noise Legislation and Its Implications to Industry

Noise control has been greatly accelerated by recent legislation affecting industry and its products. The overall effect is still far from complete since the standards provided for by the Noise Control Act of 1972 have not been established.

This paper considers the historic cases and laws in the United States which have had and will have the effect of bringing quiet to the citizens of this country. The legal developments included are, Wisconsin's Occupational Hearing Loss Compensation Law, the Walsh-Healey Act, Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Chicago Noise Ordinance, and the Noise Control Act of 1972. A review of the standards presented by each piece of legislation will be given, and their effects on both industry and its products will be pointed out.