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Hearing protection for venue workers draws mixed response; DOL points to existing public‑sector rule
Summary
A bill to strengthen noise protections for venue and hospitality workers prompted business and audiology groups to warn enforcement would be costly and impractical, while the Department of Labor pointed to an existing public‑sector noise rule it enforces.
Representative Mark McKenzie introduced HB 353, a proposal framed by the sponsor as an effort to reduce work‑related hearing loss among people who work in loud venues, such as music venues or nightclubs. McKenzie said the bill's intent is to protect workers who cannot leave loud workplaces and to prompt a review of the state's public‑sector noise protections.
"Anything over 85 decibels you have to begin the process of backing down the amount of time that you actually can be exposed to it," McKenzie told the committee and urged members to try the NIOSH sound‑measurement app to see venue levels.
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