OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE STANDARD AND HEARINGCONSERVATION AMENDMENT
These are not the regulations in their entirety. These are only the requirements for a comprehensive
hearing conservation program
29 CFR 1910.95(a)Protection against the effects of noise exposure
shall be provided when the sound levels exceed
those shown in Table G-16 when measured on the A
scale of a standard sound level meter at slow
response. When noise levels are determined byoctave band analysis, the equivalent A-weighted
sound level may be determined as follows:

130

120
120
115

120

110
110
105
100

100

90
90

140

EQUIVALENT A-WEIGHTED SOUND LEVELOCTAVE BAND SOUND PRESSURE LEVELIN DECIBELS

140

80
100

200

500

1000 2000 2000 8000

BAND CENTER FREQUENCY IN CYCLES PER SECONDFIGURE G-9

FIGURE G-9 – Equivalent A-Weighted Sound Level
Equivalent sound level contours. Octave band soundpressure levels may be converted to the equivalentA-weighted sound level by plotting them on thisgraph and noting the A-weighted sound level corresponding to the point of highest penetration into thesound level contours. This equivalent A-weighted
sound level, which may differ from the actual
A-weighted sound level of the noise, is used todetermine exposure limits from Table 1.G-16.
(b)(1) When employees are subjected to soundexceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible
administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels
within the levels of Table G-16, personal protective
equipment shall be provided and used to reducesound levels within the levels of the table.
(b)(2) If the variations in noise level involve maxima
at intervals of 1 second or less, it is to be considered
continuous.
TABLE G-16 – PERMISSIBLE NOISEEXPOSURES (1)Sound level
Duration per day, hours
dBA slow response
8.........................................................................................90
6.........................................................................................92
4.........................................................................................95
3.........................................................................................97
2.......................................................................................100
1 1/2.................................................................................102
1.......................................................................................105
1/2....................................................................................110
1/4 or less.........................................................................115

Footnote (1) When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure ofdifferent levels, their combined effect should beconsidered, rather than the individual effect of each.
If the sum of the following fractions: C(1)/T(1) +C(2)/T(2) C(n)/T(n) exceeds unity, then, the mixed
exposure should beconsidered to exceed the limit
value. C(n) indicates the total time of exposure at a
specified noise level, and T(n) indicates the total
time of exposure permitted at that level. Exposure to
impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB
peak sound pressure level.

Hearing Conservation Program(c)(1) The employer shall administer a continuing,
effective hearing conservation program, as described in paragraphs (c) through (o) of this section,
whenever employee noise exposures equal or
exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average soundlevel (TWA) of 85 decibels measured on the A scale(slow response) or, equivalently, a dose of fifty percent. For purposes of the hearing conservation program, employee noise exposures shall be computedin accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, andwithout regard to any attenuation provided by theuse of personal protective equipment.
(c)(2) For purposes of paragraphs (c) through (n)of this section, an 8-hour time-weighted average of
85 decibels or a dose of fifty percent shall also bereferred to as the action level.
(d)(1) When information indicates that any
employee’s exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hourtime-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer
shall develop and implement a monitoring program.
(d)(1)(i) The sampling strategy shall be designed
to identify employees for inclusion in the hearing
conservation program and to enable the proper
selection of hearing protectors.
(d)(1)(ii) Where circumstances such as highworker mobility, significant variations in sound level,or a significant component of impulse noise makearea monitoring generally inappropriate, the employer shall use representative personal sampling tocomply with the monitoring requirements of thisparagraph unless the employer can show that areasampling produces equivalent results.
(d)(2)(i) All continuous, intermittent and impulsive
sound levels from 80 decibels to 130 decibels shallbe integrated into the noise measurements.
(d)(2)(ii) Instruments used to measure employee
noise exposure shall be calibrated to ensure measurement accuracy.
(d)(3) Monitoring shall be repeated whenever achange in production, process, equipment or controls
increases noise exposures to the extent that:(d)(3)(i) Additional employees may be exposed at
or above the action level; or(d)(3)(ii) The attenuation provided by hearing protectors being used by employees may be renderedinadequate to meet the requirements of paragraph(j) of this section.
(e) Employee notification. The employer shallnotify each employee exposed at or above an
8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels of theresults of the monitoring.
(f) Observation of monitoring. The employer shallprovide affected employees or their representatives
with an opportunity to observe any noise measurements conducted pursuant to this section.
(g) Audiometric testing program.
(g)(1) The employer shall establish and maintain
an audiometric testing program as provided in thisparagraph by making audiometric testing available
to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed
an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.
(g)(2) The program shall be provided at no cost to
employees.
(g)(3) Audiometric tests shall be performed by alicensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, orother physician, or by a technician who is certified
by the Council of Accreditation in Occupational
Hearing Conservation, or who has satisfactorily
demonstrated competence in administering audiometric examinations, obtaining valid audiograms,
and properly using, maintaining and checking calibration and proper functioning of the audio-meters
being used. A technician who operates microprocessor audiometers does not need to be certified. A
technician who performs audiometric tests must be

responsible to an audiologist, otolaryngologist or
physician.
(g)(4) All audiograms obtained pursuant to thissection shall meet the requirements of Appendix C:“Audiometric Measuring Instruments.”(g)(5) Baseline audiogram.
(g)(5)(i) Within 6 months of an employee's first
exposure at or above the action level, the employer
shall establish a valid baseline audiogram against
which subsequent audiograms can be compared.
(g)(5)(ii) Mobile test van exception. Where
mobile test vans are used to meet the audiometrictesting obligation, the employer shall obtain a valid
baseline audiogram within 1 year of an employee's
first exposure at or above the action level. Where
baseline audiograms are obtained more than 6months after the employee's first exposure at or
above the action level, employees shall wear hearing protectors for any period exceeding six months
after first exposure until the baseline audiogram is
obtained.
(g)(5)(iii) Testing to establish a baseline audiogram shall be preceded by at least 14 hours without
exposure to workplace noise. Hearing protectors
may be used as a substitute for the requirement thatbaseline audiograms be preceded by 14 hours without
exposure to workplace noise.
(g)(5)(iv) The employer shall notify employees of
the need to avoid high levels of non-occupational
noise exposure during the 14-hour period immediately preceding the audiometric examination.
(g)(6) Annual audiogram. At least annually after
obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer shallobtain a new audiogram for each employee exposedat or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85
decibels.
(g)(7) Evaluation of audiogram.
(g)(7)(i) Each employee’s annual audiogram shallbe compared to that employee's baseline audiogram to determine if the audiogram is valid and if astandard threshold shift as defined in paragraph(g)(10) of this section has occurred. This comparison
may be done by a technician.
(g)(7)(ii) If the annual audiogram shows that an
employee has suffered a standard threshold shift,
the employer may obtain a retest within 30 days andconsider the results of the retest as the annual
audiogram.
(g)(7)(iii) The audiologist, otolaryngologist, or
physician shall review problem audiograms andshall determine whether there is a need for further
evaluation.The employer shall provide to the person performing this evaluation the following information:(g)(7)(iii)(A) A copy of the requirements for hearing conservation as set forth in paragraphs (c)through (n) of this section;(g)(7)(iii)(B) The baseline audiogram and mostrecent audiogram of the employee to be evaluated;(g)(7)(iii)(C) Measurements of background soundpressure levels in the audiometric test room as
required in Appendix D: Audiometric Test Rooms.
(g)(7)(iii)(D) Records of audiometer calibrations
required by paragraph (h)(5) of this section.
(g)(8) Follow-up procedures.
(g)(8)(i) If a comparison of the annual audiogram
to the baseline audiogram indicates a standard
threshold shift as defined in paragraph (g)(10) of thissection has occurred, the employee shall be
informed of this fact in writing, within 21 days of thedetermination.
(g)(8)(ii) Unless a physician determines that thestandard threshold shift is not work related or
aggravated by occupational noise exposure, theemployer shall ensure that the following steps aretaken when a standard threshold shift occurs:
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OCCUPATIONAL NOISE EXPOSURE STANDARD AND HEARINGCONSERVATION AMENDMENT
These are not the regulations in their entirety. These are only the requirements for a comprehensive
hearing conservation program
29 CFR 1910.95(a) (continued)(g)(8)(ii)(A) Employees not using hearing protectors shall be fitted with hearing protectors, trained intheir use and care, and required to use them.
(g)(8)(ii)(B) Employees already using hearing
protectors shall be refitted and retrained in the useof hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary.
(g)(8)(ii)(C) The employee shall be referred for aclinical audiological evaluation or an otologicalexamination, as appropriate, if additional testing isnecessary or if the employer suspects that a medical pathology of the ear is caused or aggravated by
the wearing of hearing protectors.
(g)(8)(ii)(D) The employee is informed of the needfor an otological examination if a medical pathologyof the ear that is unrelated to the use of hearing protectors is suspected.
(g)(8)(iii) If subsequent audiometric testing of an
employee whose exposure to noise is less than an
8-hour TWA of 90 decibels indicates that a standard
threshold shift is not persistent, the employer:(g)(8)(iii)(A) Shall inform the employee of the
new audiometric interpretation; and(g)(8)(iii)(B) May discontinue the required use ofhearing protectors for that employee.
(g)(9) Revised baseline. An annual audiogram
may be substituted for the baseline audiogram
when, in the judgment of the audiologist, otolaryngologist or physician who is evaluating the audiogram:(g)(9)(i) The standard threshold shift revealed by
the audiogram is persistent; or(g)(9)(ii) The hearing threshold shown in the annual
audiogram indicates significant improvement overthe baseline audiogram.
(g)(10) Standard threshold shift.
(g)(10)(i) As used in this section, a standard
threshold shift is a change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline audiogram of an average of 10
dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear.
(g)(10)(ii) In determining whether a standard
threshold shift has occurred, allowance may bemade for the contribution of aging (presbycusis) tothe change in hearing level by correcting the annual audiogram according to the procedure describedin Appendix F: “Calculation and Application of Age
Correction to Audiograms.”(h) Audiometric test requirements.
(h)(1) Audiometric tests shall be pure tone, airconduction, hearing threshold examinations, withtest frequencies including as a minimum 500, 1000,
2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz. Tests at each frequency shall be taken separately for each ear.
(h)(2) Audiometric tests shall be conducted withaudiometers (including microprocessor audiometers) that meet the specifications of, and are maintained and used in accordance with, American
National Standard Specification for Audiometers,
S3.6-1969, which is incorporated by reference as
specified in Sec. 1910.6.
(h)(3) Pulsed-tone and self-recording audiometers, if used, shall meet the requirements specified inAppendix C: “Audiometric Measuring Instruments.”(h)(4) Audiometric examinations shall be administered in a room meeting the requirements listed inAppendix D: “Audiometric Test Rooms.”(h)(5) Audiometer calibration.
(h)(5)(i) The functional operation of the audiometer shall be checked before each day's use by testing a person with known, stable hearing thresholds,
and by listening to the audiometer’s output to makesure that the output is free from distorted or
unwanted sounds. Deviations of 10 decibels or
greater require an acoustic calibration.

(h)(5)(ii) Audiometer calibration shall be checked
acoustically at least annually in accordance with
Appendix E: “Acoustic Calibration of Audiometers.”
Test frequencies below 500 Hz and above 6000 Hz
may be omitted from this check. Deviations of 15
decibels or greater require an exhaustive calibration.
(h)(5)(iii) An exhaustive calibration shall be performed at least every two years in accordance withsections 4.1.2; 4.1.3.; 4.1.4.3; 4.2; 4.4.1; 4.4.2;
4.4.3; and 4.5 of the American National Standard
Specification for Audiometers, S3.6-1969. Test frequencies below 500 Hz and above 6000 Hz may beomitted from this calibration.
(i) Hearing protectors.
(i)(1) Employers shall make hearing protectors
available to all employees exposed to an 8-hourtime-weighted average of 85 decibels or greaterat no cost to the employees. Hearing protectors
shall be replaced as necessary.
(i)(2) Employers shall ensure that hearing protectors are worn:(i)(2)(i) By an employee who is required byparagraph (b)(1) of this section to wear personal
protective equipment; and(i)(2)(ii) By any employee who is exposed to an 8hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or
greater, and who:(i)(2)(ii)(A) Has not yet had a baseline audiogram
established pursuant to paragraph (g)(5)(ii); or(i)(2)(ii)(B) Has experienced a standard threshold
shift.
(i)(3) Employees shall be given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety
of suitable hearing protectors provided by theemployer.
(i)(4) The employer shall provide training in theuse and care of all hearing protectors provided to
employees.
(i)(5) The employer shall ensure proper initial
fitting and supervise the correct use of all hearing
protectors.
(j) Hearing protector attenuation.
(j)(1) The employer shall evaluate hearing protector attenuation for the specific noise environments
in which the protector will be used. The employer
shall use one of the evaluation methods describedin Appendix B: “Methods for Estimating the
Adequacy of Hearing Protection Attenuation.”(j)(2) Hearing protectors must attenuate employee exposure at least to an 8-hour time-weighted
average of 90 decibels as required by paragraph (b)of this section.
(j)(3) For employees who have experienced astandard threshold shift, hearing protectors must
attenuate employee exposure to an 8-hour timeweighted average of 85 decibels or below.
(j)(4) The adequacy of hearing protector attenuation shall be re-evaluated whenever employee noise
exposures increase to the extent that the hearing
protectors provided may no longer provide adequate
attenuation. The employer shall provide more effective hearing protectors where necessary.
(k) Training program.
(k)(1) The employer shall institute a training program for all employees who are exposed to noise ator above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85
decibels, and shall ensure employee participation insuch program.
(k)(2) The training program shall be repeatedannually for each employee included in the hearing
conservation program. Information provided in the
training program shall be updated to be consistent
with changes in protective equipment and work
processes.
(k)(3) The employer shall ensure that each
employee is informed of the following:(k)(3)(i) The effects of noise on hearing;(k)(3)(ii) The purpose of hearing protectors, theadvantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use,and care; and(k)(3)(iii) The purpose of audiometric testing, andan explanation of the test procedures.
(l) Access to information and training materials.
(l)(1) The employer shall make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of thisstandard and shall also post a copy in the workplace.
(l)(2) The employer shall provide to affected
employees any informational materials pertaining to
the standard that are supplied to the employer by
the Assistant Secretary.
(l)(3) The employer shall provide, upon request,
all materials related to the employer’s training andeducation program pertaining to this standard to theAssistant Secretary and the Director.
(m) Recordkeeping.
(m)(1) Exposure measurements. The employer
shall maintain an accurate record of all employee
exposure measurements required by paragraph (d)of this section.
(m)(2) Audiometric tests.
(m)(2)(i) The employer shall retain all employee
audiometric test records obtained pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section:(m)(2)(ii) This record shall include:(m)(2)(ii)(A) Name and job classification of theemployee;(m)(2)(ii)(B) Date of the audiogram;(m)(2)(ii)(C) The examiner's name;(m)(2)(ii)(D) Date of the last acoustic or exhaustive
calibration of the audiometer; and(m)(2)(ii)(E) Employee's most recent noise exposure assessment.
(m)(2)(ii)(F) The employer shall maintain accurate records of the measurements of the backgroundsound pressure levels in audiometric test rooms.
(m)(3) Record retention. The employer shallretain records required in this paragraph (m) for atleast the following periods.
(m)(3)(i) Noise exposure measurement records
shall be retained for two years.
(m)(3)(ii) Audiometric test records shall be
retained for the duration of the affected employee's
employment.
(m)(4) Access to records. All records required bythis section shall be provided upon request to
employees, former employees, representatives designated by the individual employee, and theAssistant Secretary. The provisions of 29 CFR
1910.20 (a)-(e) and (g)-(i) apply to access to records
under this section.
(m)(5) Transfer of records. If the employer ceases to do business, the employer shall transfer to thesuccessor employer all records required to be maintained by this section, and the successor employer
shall retain them for the remainder of the period
prescribed in paragraph (m)(3) of this section.
(n) Appendices.
(n)(1) Appendices A, B, C, D, and E to this section
are incorporated as part of this section and the contents of these appendices are mandatory.
(n)(2) Appendices F and G to this section are
informational and are not intended to create any
additional obligations not otherwise imposed or to
detract from any existing obligations.
(o) Exemptions. Paragraphs (c) through (n) of thissection shall not apply to employers engaged in oil
and gas well drilling and servicing operations.
(p) Startup date. Baseline audiograms requiredby paragraph (g) of this section shall be completedby March 1, 1984.
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