Section II: What standards limit and control noise exposure?
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OSHA has established noise exposure standards in order to protect the hearing of employees. Other federal agencies and
organizations have established similar criteria. The following sections provide an overview of these standards:
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General Industry - 1910.95 |
This standard is designed to protect general industry employees, such as those working in the manufacturing, utilities,
and service sectors. It does not cover the construction or the oil and gas well drilling and servicing industries.
The standard establishes permissible noise exposures and outlines requirements according to two primary sections:
(1) Engineering and Administrative Controls
(2) Hearing Conservation Program
Additional information (App II:A) on the general industry standard is also
available.
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Construction Industry |
 OSHA standards for noise
in the construction industry:
Permissible Noise Exposures and Engineering and Administrative Controls
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Requirements for permissible noise exposures and controls under the construction standard are the same as those in the general industry
standard. [1910.95]
Hearing Conservation Program
- In all cases where the sound levels exceed the values shown in Table D-2, a continuing, effective hearing conservation program shall be
administered. [1926.52(d)(1)]
- There are no specific provisions for the hearing conservation program in construction.
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Other Standards and Guidance |
The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH)
has established exposure guidelines for occupational exposure to noise in their Threshold Limit Values (TLVs). The following is a summary of
these limits:
- Exposures are based on a 3 dBA exchange rate.
- The PEL is 85 dBA. Based on the 3 dBA exchange rate, allowable TLVs for noise range from 80 dBA for a 24-hour period to 139 dBA for 0.11 seconds.
- No exposure to continuous, intermittent, or impact noise in excess of a peak C-weighted sound level of 140 dB is allowed.
- A hearing conservation program is required when workers are exposed to noise above the TLV levels.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
recommends the following noise exposure criteria [Criteria for a Recommended Standard: Occupational Noise Exposure.
NIOSH Publication No. 98-126, (1998, June)]:
- An eight hour TWA limit of 85 dBA, with a 3 dBA exchange rate.
- Implementation of a hearing conservation program at an eight hour TWA of 85 dBA.
- Using hearing protection for exposure that equals or exceeds 85 dBA as an eight hour TWA.
- Reduction of expected performance of hearing protectors (25 percent for muffs, 50 percent for formable plugs, and 70 percent for other plugs).
Other Federal Agencies with Noise Standards
The following noise standards are examples only. Refer to the respective agency for complete requirements.
- US Department of Defense (DoD)
- DoD Hearing Conservation Program (HCP). Instruction Number 6055.12, (2004, March 5), 927 KB
PDF, 40 pages.
- US Department of Labor (DOL)
- Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
- US Department of Transportation (DOT)
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Coast Guard
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
(FMCSA)
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Accessibility Assistance: Contact the OSHA
Directorate of Science, Technology and Medicine at 202-693-2300 for assistance
accessing PDF materials. |
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