Extension of CPL 04-00-27, Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for Exposure to Noise Hazards in the Workplace

Abstract-1

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

DIRECTIVE NUMBER: CPL 04-00-27
SUBJECT: Extension of CPL 04- 00-27, Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for Exposure to Noise
Hazards in the Workplace
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 31, 2026
ABSTRACT

Purpose: This notice extends OSHA Instruction CPL 04- 00-27, Regional Emphasis
Program (REP) for Exposure to Noise Hazards in the Workplace to
continue scheduling and conducting inspections of select manufacturing
industries with hearing loss rates higher than the national average.

Scope: Chicago Region

References: CPL 04- 00-27, Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for Exposure to Noise
Hazards in the Workplace, June 1, 2021.

Cancellations: None.

State Impact: None.

Action Offices: OSHA Area Offices in Chicago Region

Originating Office: Chicago Regional Office

Contact: Assistant Regional Administrator for
Enforcement Programs
USDOL-OSHA
230 S. Dearborn Street, Rm. 3244
Chicago, IL 60604
(312) 353-2220

By and Under the Authority of

William J. Donovan
Reginal Administrator

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Executive Summary

This notice extends OSHA Instruction CPL 04- 00-27 Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for
Exposure to Noise Hazards in the Workplace issued on June 1, 2021, due to expire on May 31,
2026, until December 31, 2026 or until superseded by an updated directive. Area offices will
continue to conduct inspections and provide outreach and compliance assistance under this
REP. OSHA’s review of this REP shows success in identifying and targeting industries with
hearing loss rates higher than the national average and encouraging employers to take steps to
identify, reduce and eliminate hazards associated with exposure to high noise levels. Over the
course of the REP between June 1, 2021, and March 31, 2026, the Chicago Region conducted
416 noise-related inspections and issued 660 citations for violations of 29 CFR 1910.95. They
have also conducted 364 outreach tasks affected approximately 467,000 employees. Area
offices will continue to conduct programmed inspections of establishments and follow other
procedures under section VIII. B. of the REP. In addition, Area Offices will continue to conduct
unprogrammed inspections ( complaints, referrals, etc.) under this REP as appropriate, where
complaints and/or referrals allege potential exposures to hearing loss, elevated noise levels,
lack of personal protective equipment to protect hearing, or any other noise-related hazards, in
accordance with section VIII. A. of the REP and compliance assistance in accordance with
section XII.

Significant Changes
This notice extends OSHA Instruction CPL 04-00-27, Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for
Exposure to Noise Hazards in the Workplace until December 31, 2026, or until superseded by an
updated directive.

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I. Purpose.
This notice extends OSHA Instruction CPL 04-00-27, Regional Emphasis Program (REP)
for Exposure to Noise Hazards in the Workplace to continue scheduling and conducting
inspections of select manufacturing industries with hearing loss rates higher than the
national average.

II. Scope.
This Notice applies to all Area Offices in the Chicago Region.

III. References.
A. CPL 04-00-27, Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for Exposure to Noise Hazards in
the Workplace, June 1, 2021.

IV. Cancellations.
A. None.
V. Action Offices
A. Participating Area Directors will use the procedures described in Paragraph VIII
of this Instruction as the basis for developing and implementing inspection
activity at those establishments covered under this REP.

VI. Significant Changes.
This notice extends OSHA Instruction CPL 04-00-27, Regional Emphasis Program (REP)
for Exposure to Noise Hazards in the Workplace until December 31, 2026, or until
superseded by an updated directive. No changes are being made to the coding of
inspections in the OSHA Information System (OIS).

VII. Background.
The agency issued OSHA Instruction CPL 04-00-27, Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for
Exposure to Noise Hazards in the Workplace on June 1, 2021, focusing on private
manufacturing industries (NAICS super sectors 32 and 33) with a national average
recordable hearing loss rate greater than the private manufacturing industry average of
8.6 cases per 10,000 full time workers (per 2019 Bureau of Labor Statistics data), and
providing procedures for planned/programmed and unprogrammed inspections in
targeted workplaces.

Over the course of the REP between June 1, 2021, and March 31, 2026, the Chicago
Region conducted 416 noise-related inspections and issued 660 citations for violations
under 29 CFR 1910.95. They have also conducted 364 outreach tasks affecting
approximately 467,000 employees.
OSHA’s review of this REP shows success in identifying, targeting, and providing
outreach and compliance assistance to manufacturing establishments with noise-related

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hazards. Area offices will continue to conduct programmed inspections of
establishments under this REP using the software and database provided by the Office
of Statistical Analysis. In addition, Area Offices will continue to conduct unprogrammed
inspections under this REP, as appropriate, where complaints and/or referrals allege
potential exposures to noise-related hazards.
Extension of this REP will enable OSHA to continue to identify and eliminate or reduce
exposures to noise-related hazards resulting in hearing loss, through inspection
targeting, outreach, and compliance assistance.
VIII. OIS Coding Instructions.
All enforcement activities (i.e., inspections, complaints, referrals, etc.) and consultation
requests/visits conducted under this REP shall be coded as described in OSHA
Instruction CPL 04-00-27, Regional Emphasis Program (REP) for Exposure to Noise
Hazards in the Workplace, Section X.