WASHINGTON – The government is scrapping plans to change workplace noise standards after business groups and lawmakers complained about the costs.

The announcement Wednesday from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration comes a day after President Obama told agencies to go after rules that place an unreasonable burden on businesses.

OSHA spokeswoman Diana Petterson said the noise standards decision was “completely unrelated” to Obama’s order. The proposal did not involve issuing a new rule, but reinterpreting an existing rule.

Under current regulations, employers can offer workers ear plugs or other protection if it is more cost effective than engineering fixes like noise-dampening equipment and muffling systems.

OSHA was considering a change that would have required employers to make more expensive engineering remedies.

The National Association of Manufacturers had vigorously opposed the change, saying it would cost businesses billions.