Refer to OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910.95(a)-(p) with accompanying appendices A-I,
Occupational Noise Exposure Standard for the standard's specific requirements: Code of
Federal Regulations, Title 29, Chapter XVII, Part 1910, Subpart G. (See also 36 FR 10466
and 10518, May 29, 1971; Amended 46 FR 4078-4179, Jan. 16, 1981; Revised 48 FR 9776-9785,
Mar. 8, 1983).
* Much of this material has been adapted from Gasaway, D. C. Evaluating and fine-tuning the elements
that comprise a program. Chapter 15 in D. C. Gasaway, Hearing Conservation: A Practical Manual and
Guide, Prentice Hall, Inc.: Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1985.
No. |
29 CFR 1910.95 Requirement |
Paragraph No. |
NIOSH Recommendation |
Protection Against Noise |
| 1 |
Must be provided when sound levels exceed 90-dBAn time-weighted average
measured with slow response and 5 dB exchange rate |
(a) |
Must be provided when sound levels exceed 85-dBA TWA with a 3 dB
exchange rate. |
Controls |
| 2 |
Feasible engineering or administrative controls for employees
exceeding TWA 90 dBA |
(b)(1) |
Feasible engineering or administrative controls for employees
exceeding 85 dBLeqA |
| 3 |
Impulse or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB
peak sound pressure level |
(b)(2) |
|
Program |
| 4 |
Include employees whose noise exposures exceed 85 dB TWA with 5-dB
exchange rate |
(c)(1)
(c)(2)
|
85 dBLAeg (3-dB exchange rate)
|
Monitoring |
| 5 |
Conduct noise monitoring when 85-dBA TWA equaled or exceeded
with 5 dB exchange rate |
(d)(1) |
Conduct noise monitoring when 85-dBA TWA equaled or exceeded
with 3 dB exchange rate |
| 6 |
Use representative personal monitoring for highly mobile
workers, significantly varying sound levels, and impulse noise exposure |
(d)(1)(ii) |
|
| 7 |
Include all continuous, intermittent, and impulsive sound levels from
80-130 dBA in measurements |
(d)(2)(I) |
|
| 8 |
Calibrate equipment |
(d)(2)(ii) |
|
| 9 |
Repeat monitoring when noise exposure increases
significantly |
(d)(3) |
|
Employee Notification |
| 10 |
Notify employees of noise monitoring results when exposure is
at or above 85 dBA TWA with 5 dB exchange rate |
(e) |
3 dB exchange rate |
Observation of Monitoring |
| 11 |
Employees or their representatives may observe noise monitoring |
(f) |
|
Audiometric Test Program |
| 12 |
Audiometric testing available to employees exposed at
or above 85 dBA TWA |
(g)(1) |
Testing required. |
| 13 |
Tests performed by professional or by competent technician
(certification recommended) |
(g)(3) |
Use of micro-processor audiometers does not exempt
technician from certification |
| 14 |
Audiograms meet 1910.95 Appendix C requirements |
(g)(4) |
|
Baseline Audiogram |
| 15 |
Establish within 6 months or within l year if using mobile van |
(g)(5)(I)(ii) |
W/in 30 days of enrollment in hearing loss prevention program. |
| 16 |
14 hour-period without workplace noise before baseline (hearing
protection can be substituted) |
(g)(5)(iv) |
Hearing protection cannot be substituted |
| 17 |
Notify employees to avoid high non-occupational noise levels before baseline |
(g)(5)(iv) |
|
Annual Audiogram |
| 18 |
Provide for all employees exposed at or above 85 dBA TWA with 5 dB
exchange rage |
(g)(6) |
Provide for all employees exposed at or above 85 dBA TWA with 3
dB exchange rate |
Audiogram Evaluation |
| 19 |
Compare each annual test to baseline for validity and to see if
standard threshold shift (STS) exists (10 dB average at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz) |
(g)(7)(I) |
Hearing Loss Prevention Program effectiveness indicated by no more
than 5% of workers showing significant threshold shift (15 dB twice, same ear, same frequency) |
| 20 |
If STS, retest within 30 days (optional) |
(g)(7)(ii) |
Immediate re-test; if retest the same, schedule
for 30-day confirmation audiogram |
| 21 |
Audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician reviews problem audiograms
and determines need for further evaluation |
(g)(7)(iii) |
|
Follow-up |
| 22 |
Notify employees with STS in writing within 21
days
|
(g)(8)(I) |
Immediate notification |
| 23 |
Actions to be taken (unless physician determines
that STS is not work-related): Provide employees with hearing protectors (if not already
wearing), train in care and use, and require them to be worn
- Refit and retrain employees already using protectors
- Refer as necessary for clinical evaluations or additional
testing
- Inform employees with non-work related ear problems of
need for otologic exam
|
(g)(8)(ii) |
All employees exposed to 85 dB TWA with 3 dB
exchange rate use hearing protection |
Revision of Baseline |
| 24 |
Annual audiogram may become baseline as per OSHA criteria |
(g)(9) |
|
Standard Threshold Shift |
| 25 |
Definition - change relative to baseline of 10 dB or more in
average hearing level at 2000,3000, and 4000 Hz, either ear. Allowance for aging
optional - Appendix F |
(g)(10) |
A shift of 15 dB or more at .500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, or 6000
Hz in either ear; and the same shift at the same test frequency in the same ear on an
immediate retest. No correction allowance for aging |
Audiometric Test Requirements |
| 26 |
Each ear tested at frequencies of 500, 1000, 2000, 3000,
4000, and 6000 Hz |
(h)(1) |
Test also at 8000 Hz |
| 27 |
Audiometers meet ANSI S3.6-1969 |
(h)(2) |
ANSI S3.6-1996. |
| 28 |
Pulsed-tone and self-recording audiometers meet Appendix
C requirements |
(h)(3) |
ANSI S3.6-1996 |
| 29 |
Test rooms meet Appendix D requirements |
(h)(4) |
Test rooms meet specifications of ANSI S3.1-1989 |
| 30 |
Audiometer calibration includes:
- Functional checks before each day's use
- Acoustical check annually according to Appendix E
- Exhaustive calibration every 2 years
|
(h)(5) |
|
Hearing Protectors |
| 31 |
Available to all employees exposed at or above 85 dBA TWA and
replaced as necessary |
(I)(1) |
Worn at 85 dBA and above regardless of exposure time |
| 32 |
Worn by employees when:
- Exposed to 90 dBA TWA or above
- Exposed to 85 dBA TWA or above when
- no baseline after 6 months, or
- STS occurs
|
(I)(2) |
|
| 33 |
Employees select from a variety of suitable hearing
protectors |
(I)(3) |
|
| 34 |
Employees trained in care and use |
(I)(4) |
|
| 35 |
Employer ensures proper initial fitting and supervises
correct use |
(I)(5) |
|
Hearing Protector Attenuation |
| 36 |
Evaluate attenuation for specific noise environments according to
Appendix B |
(j)(1) |
Derate the NRR by 25% for earmuffs, 50%, for
formable slow-recovery foam earplugs and & 75% for all other earplugs |
| 37 |
Attenuate to at least 90 dBA, or 85 dBA if STS
experienced |
(j)(2) (j)(3) |
Attenuate to 85 dBA |
| 38 |
Re-evaluate attenuation as necessary |
(j)(4) |
|
Training Program |
| 39 |
Provide training to employees exposed to 85 dBA TWA or
above |
(k)(1) |
|
| 40 |
Repeat annually and update materials |
(k)(2) |
|
| 41 |
Training includes:
- Effects of noise on hearing
- Purpose of hearing protectors, advantages, disadvantages, attenuation; instructions
on selection, fit, use, and care
- Purpose and procedures of audiometric testing
|
(k)(3) |
|
Access |
| 42 |
Copies of OSHA standard available to employees or their
representatives and posted in workplace |
(l)(1) |
|
| 43 |
Information provided by OSHA available to employees |
(l)(2) |
|
| 44 |
All records provided on request to employees, former
employees, representatives, and OSHA |
(m)(4) |
|
Record Keeping |
| 45 |
Maintain accurate records of noise exposure measurements |
(m)(1) |
|
| 46 |
Maintain audiometric records with the following
information:
- Employee name and job classification
- Date of audiogram
- Examiner's name
- Date of last acoustic or exhaustiven calibration
- Employee's most recent noise exposure assessment
- Background noise levels in audio test rooms
|
(m)(2) |
|
| 47 |
Retain all noise exposure records for at least 2 years |
(m)(3)
(I) |
|
| 48 |
Retain all audiometric test records at least for duration
of employment |
(m)(3)
(ii) |
Retain all audiometric test records at least for duration
of employment plus 30 years |
| 49 |
Transfer all records to successor employer |
(m)(5) |
|
Mandatory OSHA Appendices |
| 50 |
Noise Exposure Computation |
Appen. A |
85 dBA 3 dB exchange |
| 51 |
Methods for Estimating the Adequacy of Hearing Protector
Attenuation |
Appen. B |
Derated NRR |
| 52 |
Audiometric Measuring Instruments |
Appen. C |
|
| 53 |
Audiometric Test Rooms |
Appen. D |
Type 1 SLMs in accordance with ANSI S3.1-1991,
Type 2 SLMs designed since 1989 may be substituted in most cases. Test room background
noise levels must be equal to or less than ears-covered levels of ANSI S3.1-1991 |
| 54 |
Acoustic Calibration of Audiometers |
Appen. E |
|
Non-Manatory OSHA Appendices |
| 55 |
Calculations and Application of Age Corrections to
Audiograms |
Appen. F |
No age correction for calculating STS |
| 56 |
Monitoring Noise Levels |
Appen. G |
|
| 57 |
Availability of Referenced Documents |
Appen. H |
|
| 58 |
Definitions |
Appen. I |
|
Appendix A is also available in