{"data":{"id":"us/29-cfr-1910.95","jurisdiction":"us","citation":"29 CFR 1910.95","heading":"Occupational noise exposure.","body":"(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 by octave band analysis, the equivalent A-weighted sound level may be determined as follows:\nFigure G-9\nEquivalent sound level contours. Octave band sound pressure levels may be converted to the equivalent A-weighted sound level by plotting them on this graph and noting the A-weighted sound level corresponding to the point of highest penetration into the sound level contours. This equivalent A-weighted sound level, which may differ from the actual A-weighted sound level of the noise, is used to determine exposure limits from Table 1.G-16.\n(b)(1) When employees are subjected to sound exceeding 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 reduce sound levels within the levels of the table.\n(2) If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, it is to be considered continuous.\nTable G-16—Permissible Noise Exposures 1\nDuration per day, hours Sound level dBA slow response\n8 90\n6 92\n4 95\n3 97\n2 100\n11⁄2 102\n1 105\n1⁄2 110\n1⁄4 or less 115\n1 When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. If the sum of the following fractions: C1/T1 + C2/T2 C n/T n exceeds unity, then, the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the limit value. Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specified noise level, and Tn indicates the total time of exposure permitted at that level.\nExposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.\n(c) Hearing conservation program. (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 sound level (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 computed in accordance with appendix A and Table G-16a, and without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment.\n(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 be referred to as the action level.\n(d) Monitoring. (1) When information indicates that any employee's exposure may equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels, the employer shall develop and implement a monitoring program.\n(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.\n(ii) Where circumstances such as high worker mobility, significant variations in sound level, or a significant component of impulse noise make area monitoring generally inappropriate, the employer shall use representative personal sampling to comply with the monitoring requirements of this paragraph unless the employer can show that area sampling produces equivalent results.\n(2)(i) All continuous, intermittent and impulsive sound levels from 80 decibels to 130 decibels shall be integrated into the noise measurements.\n(ii) Instruments used to measure employee noise exposure shall be calibrated to ensure measurement accuracy.\n(3) Monitoring shall be repeated whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls increases noise exposures to the extent that:\n(i) Additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level; or\n(ii) The attenuation provided by hearing protectors being used by employees may be rendered inadequate to meet the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section.\n(e) Employee notification. The employer shall notify each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels of the results of the monitoring.\n(f) Observation of monitoring. The employer shall provide affected employees or their representatives with an opportunity to observe any noise measurements conducted pursuant to this section.\n(g) Audiometric testing program. (1) The employer shall establish and maintain an audiometric testing program as provided in this paragraph by making audiometric testing available to all employees whose exposures equal or exceed an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.\n(2) The program shall be provided at no cost to employees.\n(3) Audiometric tests shall be performed by a licensed or certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other 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 audiometers 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.\n(4) All audiograms obtained pursuant to this section shall meet the requirements of appendix C: Audiometric Measuring Instruments.\n(5) Baseline audiogram. (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.\n(ii) Mobile test van exception. Where mobile test vans are used to meet the audiometric testing 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 6 months after the employee's first exposure at or above the action level, employees shall wearing hearing protectors for any period exceeding six months after first exposure until the baseline audiogram is obtained.\n(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 that baseline audiograms be preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise.\n(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.\n(6) Annual audiogram. At least annually after obtaining the baseline audiogram, the employer shall obtain a new audiogram for each employee exposed at or above an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels.\n(7) Evaluation of audiogram. (i) Each employee's annual audiogram shall be compared to that employee's baseline audiogram to determine if the audiogram is valid and if a standard threshold shift as defined in paragraph (g)(10) of this section has occurred. This comparison may be done by a technician.\n(ii) If the annual audiogram shows that an employee has suffered a standard threshold shift, the employer may obtain a retest within 30 days and consider the results of the retest as the annual audiogram.\n(iii) The audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician shall review problem audiograms and shall determine whether there is a need for further evaluation. The employer shall provide to the person performing this evaluation the following information:\n(A) A copy of the requirements for hearing conservation as set forth in paragraphs (c) through (n) of this section;\n(B) The baseline audiogram and most recent audiogram of the employee to be evaluated;\n(C) Measurements of background sound pressure levels in the audiometric test room as required in appendix D: Audiometric Test Rooms.\n(D) Records of audiometer calibrations required by paragraph (h)(5) of this section.\n(8) Follow-up procedures. (i) If a comparison of the annual audiogram to the baseline audiogram indicates a standard threshold shift as defined in paragraph (g)(10) of this section has occurred, the employee shall be informed of this fact in writing, within 21 days of the determination.\n(ii) Unless a physician determines that the standard threshold shift is not work related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employer shall ensure that the following steps are taken when a standard threshold shift occurs:\n(A) Employees not using hearing protectors shall be fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and care, and required to use them.\n(B) Employees already using hearing protectors shall be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary.\n(C) The employee shall be referred for a clinical audiological evaluation or an otological examination, as appropriate, if additional testing is necessary or if the employer suspects that a medical pathology of the ear is caused or aggravated by the wearing of hearing protectors.\n(D) The employee is informed of the need for an otological examination if a medical pathology of the ear that is unrelated to the use of hearing protectors is suspected.\n(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:\n(A) Shall inform the employee of the new audiometric interpretation; and\n(B) May discontinue the required use of hearing protectors for that employee.\n(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:\n(i) The standard threshold shift revealed by the audiogram is persistent; or\n(ii) The hearing threshold shown in the annual audiogram indicates significant improvement over the baseline audiogram.\n(10) Standard threshold shift. (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.\n(ii) In determining whether a standard threshold shift has occurred, allowance may be made for the contribution of aging (presbycusis) to the change in hearing level by correcting the annual audiogram according to the procedure described in appendix F: Calculation and Application of Age Correction to Audiograms.\n(h) Audiometric test requirements. (1) Audiometric tests shall be pure tone, air conduction, hearing threshold examinations, with test frequencies including as a minimum 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz. Tests at each frequency shall be taken separately for each ear.\n(2) Audiometric tests shall be conducted with audiometers (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 § 1910.6.\n(3) Pulsed-tone and self-recording audiometers, if used, shall meet the requirements specified in appendix C: Audiometric Measuring Instruments.\n(4) Audiometric examinations shall be administered in a room meeting the requirements listed in appendix D: Audiometric Test Rooms.\n(5) Audiometer calibration. (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 make sure that the output is free from distorted or unwanted sounds. Deviations of 10 decibels or greater require an acoustic calibration.\n(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.\n(iii) An exhaustive calibration shall be performed at least every two years in accordance with sections 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 be omitted from this calibration.\n(i) Hearing protectors. (1) Employers shall make hearing protectors available to all employees exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater at no cost to the employees. Hearing protectors shall be replaced as necessary.\n(2) Employers shall ensure that hearing protectors are worn:\n(i) By an employee who is required by paragraph (b)(1) of this section to wear personal protective equipment; and\n(ii) By any employee who is exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater, and who:\n(A) Has not yet had a baseline audiogram established pursuant to paragraph (g)(5)(ii); or\n(B) Has experienced a standard threshold shift.\n(3) Employees shall be given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer.\n(4) The employer shall provide training in the use and care of all hearing protectors provided to employees.\n(5) The employer shall ensure proper initial fitting and supervise the correct use of all hearing protectors.\n(j) Hearing protector attenuation. (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 described in appendix B: Methods for Estimating the Adequacy of Hearing Protection Attenuation.\n(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.\n(3) For employees who have experienced a standard threshold shift, hearing protectors must attenuate employee exposure to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or below.\n(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.\n(k) Training program. (1) The employer shall train each employee who is exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour time weighted average of 85 decibels in accordance with the requirements of this section. The employer shall institute a training program and ensure employee participation in the program.\n(2) The training program shall be repeated annually 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.\n(3) The employer shall ensure that each employee is informed of the following:\n(i) The effects of noise on hearing;\n(ii) The purpose of hearing protectors, the advantages, disadvantages, and attenuation of various types, and instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care; and\n(iii) The purpose of audiometric testing, and an explanation of the test procedures.\n(l) Access to information and training materials. (1) The employer shall make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of this standard and shall also post a copy in the workplace.\n(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.\n(3) The employer shall provide, upon request, all materials related to the employer's training and education program pertaining to this standard to the Assistant Secretary and the Director.\n(m) Recordkeeping—(1) Exposure measurements. The employer shall maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure measurements required by paragraph (d) of this section.\n(2) Audiometric tests. (i) The employer shall retain all employee audiometric test records obtained pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section:\n(ii) This record shall include:\n(A) Name and job classification of the employee;\n(B) Date of the audiogram;\n(C) The examiner's name;\n(D) Date of the last acoustic or exhaustive calibration of the audiometer; and\n(E) Employee's most recent noise exposure assessment.\n(F) The employer shall maintain accurate records of the measurements of the background sound pressure levels in audiometric test rooms.\n(3) Record retention. The employer shall retain records required in this paragraph (m) for at least the following periods.\n(i) Noise exposure measurement records shall be retained for two years.\n(ii) Audiometric test records shall be retained for the duration of the affected employee's employment.\n(4) Access to records. All records required by this section shall be provided upon request to employees, former employees, representatives designated by the individual employee, and the Assistant Secretary. The provisions of 29 CFR 1910.1020 (a)-(e) and (g)-(i) apply to access to records under this section.\n(5) Transfer of records. If the employer ceases to do business, the employer shall transfer to the successor 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(n) Appendices. (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.\n(o) Exemptions. Paragraphs (c) through (n) of this section shall not apply to employers engaged in oil and gas well drilling and servicing operations.\nAppendix A to § 1910.95—Noise Exposure Computation\nThis appendix is Mandatory\nI. Computation of Employee Noise Exposure\n(1) Noise dose is computed using Table G-16a as follows:\n(i) When the sound level, L, is constant over the entire work shift, the noise dose, D, in percent, is given by: D = 100 C/T where C is the total length of the work day, in hours, and T is the reference duration corresponding to the measured sound level, L, as given in Table G-16a or by the formula shown as a footnote to that table.\n(ii) When the workshift noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise at different levels, the total noise dose over the work day is given by:\nD = 100(C1 / T1 + C2 / T2 + Cn / Tn),\nwhere Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specific noise level, and Tn indicates the reference duration for that level as given by Table G-16a.\n(2) The eight-hour time-weighted average sound level (TWA), in decibels, may be computed from the dose, in percent, by means of the formula: TWA = 16.61 log10 (D/100) + 90. For an eight-hour workshift with the noise level constant over the entire shift, the TWA is equal to the measured sound level.\n(3) A table relating dose and TWA is given in Section II.\nTable G-16a\nA-weighted sound level, L (decibel) Reference duration, T (hour)\n80 32\n81 27.9\n82 24.3\n83 21.1\n84 18.4\n85 16\n86 13.9\n87 12.1\n88 10.6\n89 9.2\n90 8\n91 7.0\n92 6.1\n93 5.3\n94 4.6\n95 4\n96 3.5\n97 3.0\n98 2.6\n99 2.3\n100 2\n101 1.7\n102 1.5\n103 1.3\n104 1.1\n105 1\n106 0.87\n107 0.76\n108 0.66\n109 0.57\n110 0.5\n111 0.44\n112 0.38\n113 0.33\n114 0.29\n115 0.25\n116 0.22\n117 0.19\n118 0.16\n119 0.14\n120 0.125\n121 0.11\n122 0.095\n123 0.082\n124 0.072\n125 0.063\n126 0.054\n127 0.047\n128 0.041\n129 0.036\n130 0.031\nIn the above table the reference duration, T, is computed by\nwhere L is the measured A-weighted sound level.\nII. Conversion Between “Dose” and “8-Hour Time-Weighted Average” Sound Level\nCompliance with paragraphs (c)-(r) of this regulation is determined by the amount of exposure to noise in the workplace. The amount of such exposure is usually measured with an audiodosimeter which gives a readout in terms of “dose.” In order to better understand the requirements of the amendment, dosimeter readings can be converted to an “8-hour time-weighted average sound level.” (TWA).\nIn order to convert the reading of a dosimeter into TWA, see Table A-1, below. This table applies to dosimeters that are set by the manufacturer to calculate dose or percent exposure according to the relationships in Table G-16a. So, for example, a dose of 91 percent over an eight hour day results in a TWA of 89.3 dB, and, a dose of 50 percent corresponds to a TWA of 85 dB.\nIf the dose as read on the dosimeter is less than or greater than the values found in Table A-1, the TWA may be calculated by using the formula: TWA=16.61 log10 (D/100) + 90 where TWA = 8-hour time-weighted average sound level and D = accumulated dose in percent exposure.\nTable A-1—Conversion From “Percent Noise Exposure” or “Dose” to “8-Hour Time-Weighted Average Sound Level” (TWA)\nDose or percent noise exposure TWA\n10 73.4\n15 76.3\n20 78.4\n25 80.0\n30 81.3\n35 82.4\n40 83.4\n45 84.2\n50 85.0\n55 85.7\n60 86.3\n65 86.9\n70 87.4\n75 87.9\n80 88.4\n81 88.5\n82 88.6\n83 88.7\n84 88.7\n85 88.8\n86 88.9\n87 89.0\n88 89.1\n89 89.2\n90 89.2\n91 89.3\n92 89.4\n93 89.5\n94 89.6\n95 89.6\n96 89.7\n97 89.8\n98 89.9\n99 89.9\n100 90.0\n101 90.1\n102 90.1\n103 90.2\n104 90.3\n105 90.4\n106 90.4\n107 90.5\n108 90.6\n109 90.6\n110 90.7\n111 90.8\n112 90.8\n113 90.9\n114 90.9\n115 91.1\n116 91.1\n117 91.1\n118 91.2\n119 91.3\n120 91.3\n125 91.6\n130 91.9\n135 92.2\n140 92.4\n145 92.7\n150 92.9\n155 93.2\n160 93.4\n165 93.6\n170 93.8\n175 94.0\n180 94.2\n185 94.4\n190 94.6\n195 94.8\n200 95.0\n210 95.4\n220 95.7\n230 96.0\n240 96.3\n250 96.6\n260 96.9\n270 97.2\n280 97.4\n290 97.7\n300 97.9\n310 98.2\n320 98.4\n330 98.6\n340 98.8\n350 99.0\n360 99.2\n370 99.4\n380 99.6\n390 99.8\n400 100.0\n410 100.2\n420 100.4\n430 100.5\n440 100.7\n450 100.8\n460 101.0\n470 101.2\n480 101.3\n490 101.5\n500 101.6\n510 101.8\n520 101.9\n530 102.0\n540 102.2\n550 102.3\n560 102.4\n570 102.6\n580 102.7\n590 102.8\n600 102.9\n610 103.0\n620 103.2\n630 103.3\n640 103.4\n650 103.5\n660 103.6\n670 103.7\n680 103.8\n690 103.9\n700 104.0\n710 104.1\n720 104.2\n730 104.3\n740 104.4\n750 104.5\n760 104.6\n770 104.7\n780 104.8\n790 104.9\n800 105.0\n810 105.1\n820 105.2\n830 105.3\n840 105.4\n850 105.4\n860 105.5\n870 105.6\n880 105.7\n890 105.8\n900 105.8\n910 105.9\n920 106.0\n930 106.1\n940 106.2\n950 106.2\n960 106.3\n970 106.4\n980 106.5\n990 106.5\n999 106.6\nAppendix B to § 1910.95—Methods for Estimating the Adequacy of Hearing Protector Attenuation\nThis appendix is Mandatory\nFor employees who have experienced a significant threshold shift, hearing protector attenuation must be sufficient to reduce employee exposure to a TWA of 85 dB. Employers must select one of the following methods by which to estimate the adequacy of hearing protector attenuation.\nThe most convenient method is the Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). According to EPA regulation, the NRR must be shown on the hearing protector package. The NRR is then related to an individual worker's noise environment in order to assess the adequacy of the attenuation of a given hearing protector. This appendix describes four methods of using the NRR to determine whether a particular hearing protector provides adequate protection within a given exposure environment. Selection among the four procedures is dependent upon the employer's noise measuring instruments.\nInstead of using the NRR, employers may evaluate the adequacy of hearing protector attenuation by using one of the three methods developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), which are described in the “List of Personal Hearing Protectors and Attenuation Data,” HEW Publication No. 76-120, 1975, pages 21-37. These methods are known as NIOSH methods #1B1, #1B2 and #1B3. The NRR described below is a simplification of NIOSH method #1B2. The most complex method is NIOSH method #1B1, which is probably the most accurate method since it uses the largest amount of spectral information from the individual employee's noise environment. As in the case of the NRR method described below, if one of the NIOSH methods is used, the selected method must be applied to an individual's noise environment to assess the adequacy of the attenuation. Employers should be careful to take a sufficient number of measurements in order to achieve a representative sample for each time segment.\nNote:\nThe employer must remember that calculated attenuation values reflect realistic values only to the extent that the protectors are properly fitted and worn.\nWhen using the NRR to assess hearing protector adequacy, one of the following methods must be used:\n(i) When using a dosimeter that is capable of C-weighted measurements:\n(A) Obtain the employee's C-weighted dose for the entire workshift, and convert to TWA (see appendix A, II).\n(B) Subtract the NRR from the C-weighted TWA to obtain the estimated A-weighted TWA under the ear protector.\n(ii) When using a dosimeter that is not capable of C-weighted measurements, the following method may be used:\n(A) Convert the A-weighted dose to TWA (see appendix A).\n(B) Subtract 7 dB from the NRR.\n(C) Subtract the remainder from the A-weighted TWA to obtain the estimated A-weighted TWA under the ear protector.\n(iii) When using a sound level meter set to the A-weighting network:\n(A) Obtain the employee's A-weighted TWA.\n(B) Subtract 7 dB from the NRR, and subtract the remainder from the A-weighted TWA to obtain the estimated A-weighted TWA under the ear protector.\n(iv) When using a sound level meter set on the C-weighting network:\n(A) Obtain a representative sample of the C-weighted sound levels in the employee's environment.\n(B) Subtract the NRR from the C-weighted average sound level to obtain the estimated A-weighted TWA under the ear protector.\n(v) When using area monitoring procedures and a sound level meter set to the A-weighing network.\n(A) Obtain a representative sound level for the area in question.\n(B) Subtract 7 dB from the NRR and subtract the remainder from the A-weighted sound level for that area.\n(vi) When using area monitoring procedures and a sound level meter set to the C-weighting network:\n(A) Obtain a representative sound level for the area in question.\n(B) Subtract the NRR from the C-weighted sound level for that area.\nAppendix C to § 1910.95—Audiometric Measuring Instruments\nThis appendix is Mandatory\n1. In the event that pulsed-tone audiometers are used, they shall have a tone on-time of at least 200 milliseconds.\n2. Self-recording audiometers shall comply with the following requirements:\n(A) The chart upon which the audiogram is traced shall have lines at positions corresponding to all multiples of 10 dB hearing level within the intensity range spanned by the audiometer. The lines shall be equally spaced and shall be separated by at least 1/4 inch. Additional increments are optional. The audiogram pen tracings shall not exceed 2 dB in width.\n(B) It shall be possible to set the stylus manually at the 10-dB increment lines for calibration purposes.\n(C) The slewing rate for the audiometer attenuator shall not be more than 6 dB/sec except that an initial slewing rate greater than 6 dB/sec is permitted at the beginning of each new test frequency, but only until the second subject response.\n(D) The audiometer shall remain at each required test frequency for 30 seconds (±3 seconds). The audiogram shall be clearly marked at each change of frequency and the actual frequency change of the audiometer shall not deviate from the frequency boundaries marked on the audiogram by more than ±3 seconds.\n(E) It must be possible at each test frequency to place a horizontal line segment parallel to the time axis on the audiogram, such that the audiometric tracing crosses the line segment at least six times at that test frequency. At each test frequency the threshold shall be the average of the midpoints of the tracing excursions.\nAppendix D to § 1910.95—Audiometric Test Rooms\nThis appendix is Mandatory\nRooms used for audiometric testing shall not have background sound pressure levels exceeding those in Table D-1 when measured by equipment conforming at least to the Type 2 requirements of American National Standard Specification for Sound Level Meters, S1.4-1971 (R1976), and to the Class II requirements of American National Standard Specification for Octave, Half-Octave, and Third-Octave Band Filter Sets, S1.11-1971 (R1976).\nTable D-1—Maximum Allowable Octave-Band Sound Pressure Levels for Audiometric Test Rooms\nOctave-band center frequency (Hz) 500 1000 2000 4000 8000\nSound pressure level (dB) 40 40 47 57 62\nAppendix E to § 1910.95—Acoustic Calibration of Audiometers\nThis appendix is Mandatory\nAudiometer calibration shall be checked acoustically, at least annually, according to the procedures described in this appendix. The equipment necessary to perform these measurements is a sound level meter, octave-band filter set, and a National Bureau of Standards 9A coupler. In making these measurements, the accuracy of the calibrating equipment shall be sufficient to determine that the audiometer is within the tolerances permitted by American Standard Specification for Audiometers, S3.6-1969.\n(1) Sound Pressure Output Check\nA. Place the earphone coupler over the microphone of the sound level meter and place the earphone on the coupler.\nB. Set the audiometer's hearing threshold level (HTL) dial to 70 dB.\nC. Measure the sound pressure level of the tones at each test frequency from 500 Hz through 6000 Hz for each earphone.\nD. At each frequency the readout on the sound level meter should correspond to the levels in Table E-1 or Table E-2, as appropriate, for the type of earphone, in the column entitled “sound level meter reading.”\n(2) Linearity Check\nA. With the earphone in place, set the frequency to 1000 Hz and the HTL dial on the audiometer to 70 dB.\nB. Measure the sound levels in the coupler at each 10-dB decrement from 70 dB to 10 dB, noting the sound level meter reading at each setting.\nC. For each 10-dB decrement on the audiometer the sound level meter should indicate a corresponding 10 dB decrease.\nD. This measurement may be made electrically with a voltmeter connected to the earphone terminals.\n(3) Tolerances\nWhen any of the measured sound levels deviate from the levels in Table E-1 or Table E-2 by ±3 dB at any test frequency between 500 and 3000 Hz, 4 dB at 4000 Hz, or 5 dB at 6000 Hz, an exhaustive calibration is advised. An exhaustive calibration is required if the deviations are greater than 15 dB or greater at any test frequency.\nTable E-1—Reference Threshold Levels for Telephonics—TDH-39 Earphones\nFrequency, Hz Reference threshold level for TDH-39 earphones, dB Sound level meter reading, dB\n500 11.5 81.5\n1000 7 77\n2000 9 79\n3000 10 80\n4000 9.5 79.5\n6000 15.5 85.5\nTable E-2—Reference Threshold Levels for Telephonics—TDH-49 Earphones\nFrequency, Hz Reference threshold level for TDH-49 earphones, dB Sound level meter reading, dB\n500 13.5 83.5\n1000 7.5 77.5\n2000 11 81.0\n3000 9.5 79.5\n4000 10.5 80.5\n6000 13.5 83.5\nAppendix F to § 1910.95—Calculations and Application of Age Corrections to Audiograms\nThis appendix Is Non-Mandatory\nIn determining whether a standard threshold shift has occurred, allowance may be made for the contribution of aging to the change in hearing level by adjusting the most recent audiogram. If the employer chooses to adjust the audiogram, the employer shall follow the procedure described below. This procedure and the age correction tables were developed by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the criteria document entitled “Criteria for a Recommended Standard . . . Occupational Exposure to Noise,” ((HSM)-11001).\nFor each audiometric test frequency;\n(i) Determine from Tables F-1 or F-2 the age correction values for the employee by:\n(A) Finding the age at which the most recent audiogram was taken and recording the corresponding values of age corrections at 1000 Hz through 6000 Hz;\n(B) Finding the age at which the baseline audiogram was taken and recording the corresponding values of age corrections at 1000 Hz through 6000 Hz.\n(ii) Subtract the values found in step (i)(B) from the value found in step (i)(A).\n(iii) The differences calculated in step (ii) represented that portion of the change in hearing that may be due to aging.\nExample:\nEmployee is a 32-year-old male. The audiometric history for his right ear is shown in decibels below.\nEmployee's age Audiometric test frequency (Hz)\n1000 2000 3000 4000 6000\n26 10 5 5 10 5\n*27 0 0 0 5 5\n28 0 0 0 10 5\n29 5 0 5 15 5\n30 0 5 10 20 10\n31 5 10 20 15 15\n*32 5 10 10 25 20\nThe audiogram at age 27 is considered the baseline since it shows the best hearing threshold levels. Asterisks have been used to identify the baseline and most recent audiogram. A threshold shift of 20 dB exists at 4000 Hz between the audiograms taken at ages 27 and 32.\n(The threshold shift is computed by subtracting the hearing threshold at age 27, which was 5, from the hearing threshold at age 32, which is 25). A retest audiogram has confirmed this shift. The contribution of aging to this change in hearing may be estimated in the following manner:\nGo to Table F-1 and find the age correction values (in dB) for 4000 Hz at age 27 and age 32.\nFrequency (Hz)\n1000 2000 3000 4000 6000\nAge 32 6 5 7 10 14\nAge 27 5 4 6 7 11\nDifference 1 1 1 3 3\nThe difference represents the amount of hearing loss that may be attributed to aging in the time period between the baseline audiogram and the most recent audiogram. In this example, the difference at 4000 Hz is 3 dB. This value is subtracted from the hearing level at 4000 Hz, which in the most recent audiogram is 25, yielding 22 after adjustment. Then the hearing threshold in the baseline audiogram at 4000 Hz (5) is subtracted from the adjusted annual audiogram hearing threshold at 4000 Hz (22). Thus the age-corrected threshold shift would be 17 dB (as opposed to a threshold shift of 20 dB without age correction).\nTable F-1—Age Correction Values in Decibels for Males\nYears Audiometric Test Frequencies (Hz)\n1000 2000 3000 4000 6000\n20 or younger 5 3 4 5 8\n21 5 3 4 5 8\n22 5 3 4 5 8\n23 5 3 4 6 9\n24 5 3 5 6 9\n25 5 3 5 7 10\n26 5 4 5 7 10\n27 5 4 6 7 11\n28 6 4 6 8 11\n29 6 4 6 8 12\n30 6 4 6 9 12\n31 6 4 7 9 13\n32 6 5 7 10 14\n33 6 5 7 10 14\n34 6 5 8 11 15\n35 7 5 8 11 15\n36 7 5 9 12 16\n37 7 6 9 12 17\n38 7 6 9 13 17\n39 7 6 10 14 18\n40 7 6 10 14 19\n41 7 6 10 14 20\n42 8 7 11 16 20\n43 8 7 12 16 21\n44 8 7 12 17 22\n45 8 7 13 18 23\n46 8 8 13 19 24\n47 8 8 14 19 24\n48 9 8 14 20 25\n49 9 9 15 21 26\n50 9 9 16 22 27\n51 9 9 16 23 28\n52 9 10 17 24 29\n53 9 10 18 25 30\n54 10 10 18 26 31\n55 10 11 19 27 32\n56 10 11 20 28 34\n57 10 11 21 29 35\n58 10 12 22 31 36\n59 11 12 22 32 37\n60 or older 11 13 23 33 38\nTable F-2—Age Correction Values in Decibels for Females\nYears Audiometric Test Frequencies (Hz)\n1000 2000 3000 4000 6000\n20 or younger 7 4 3 3 6\n21 7 4 4 3 6\n22 7 4 4 4 6\n23 7 5 4 4 7\n24 7 5 4 4 7\n25 8 5 4 4 7\n26 8 5 5 4 8\n27 8 5 5 5 8\n28 8 5 5 5 8\n29 8 5 5 5 9\n30 8 6 5 5 9\n31 8 6 6 5 9\n32 9 6 6 6 10\n33 9 6 6 6 10\n34 9 6 6 6 10\n35 9 6 7 7 11\n36 9 7 7 7 11\n37 9 7 7 7 12\n38 10 7 7 7 12\n39 10 7 8 8 12\n40 10 7 8 8 13\n41 10 8 8 8 13\n42 10 8 9 9 13\n43 11 8 9 9 14\n44 11 8 9 9 14\n45 11 8 10 10 15\n46 11 9 10 10 15\n47 11 9 10 11 16\n48 12 9 11 11 16\n49 12 9 11 11 16\n50 12 10 11 12 17\n51 12 10 12 12 17\n52 12 10 12 13 18\n53 13 10 13 13 18\n54 13 11 13 14 19\n55 13 11 14 14 19\n56 13 11 14 15 20\n57 13 11 15 15 20\n58 14 12 15 16 21\n59 14 12 16 16 21\n60 or older 14 12 16 17 22\nAppendix G to § 1910.95—Monitoring Noise Levels Non-Mandatory Informational Appendix\nThis appendix provides information to help employers comply with the noise monitoring obligations that are part of the hearing conservation amendment.\nWhat is the purpose of noise monitoring?\nThis revised amendment requires that employees be placed in a hearing conservation program if they are exposed to average noise levels of 85 dB or greater during an 8 hour workday. In order to determine if exposures are at or above this level, it may be necessary to measure or monitor the actual noise levels in the workplace and to estimate the noise exposure or “dose” received by employees during the workday.\nWhen is it necessary to implement a noise monitoring program?\nIt is not necessary for every employer to measure workplace noise. Noise monitoring or measuring must be conducted only when exposures are at or above 85 dB. Factors which suggest that noise exposures in the workplace may be at this level include employee complaints about the loudness of noise, indications that employees are losing their hearing, or noisy conditions which make normal conversation difficult. The employer should also consider any information available regarding noise emitted from specific machines. In addition, actual workplace noise measurements can suggest whether or not a monitoring program should be initiated.\nHow is noise measured?\nBasically, there are two different instruments to measure noise exposures: the sound level meter and the dosimeter. A sound level meter is a device that measures the intensity of sound at a given moment. Since sound level meters provide a measure of sound intensity at only one point in time, it is generally necessary to take a number of measurements at different times during the day to estimate noise exposure over a workday. If noise levels fluctuate, the amount of time noise remains at each of the various measured levels must be determined.\nTo estimate employee noise exposures with a sound level meter it is also generally necessary to take several measurements at different locations within the workplace. After appropriate sound level meter readings are obtained, people sometimes draw “maps” of the sound levels within different areas of the workplace. By using a sound level “map” and information on employee locations throughout the day, estimates of individual exposure levels can be developed. This measurement method is generally referred to as area noise monitoring.\nA dosimeter is like a sound level meter except that it stores sound level measurements and integrates these measurements over time, providing an average noise exposure reading for a given period of time, such as an 8-hour workday. With a dosimeter, a microphone is attached to the employee's clothing and the exposure measurement is simply read at the end of the desired time period. A reader may be used to read-out the dosimeter's measurements. Since the dosimeter is worn by the employee, it measures noise levels in those locations in which the employee travels. A sound level meter can also be positioned within the immediate vicinity of the exposed worker to obtain an individual exposure estimate. Such procedures are generally referred to as personal noise monitoring.\nArea monitoring can be used to estimate noise exposure when the noise levels are relatively constant and employees are not mobile. In workplaces where employees move about in different areas or where the noise intensity tends to fluctuate over time, noise exposure is generally more accurately estimated by the personal monitoring approach.\nIn situations where personal monitoring is appropriate, proper positioning of the microphone is necessary to obtain accurate measurements. With a dosimeter, the microphone is generally located on the shoulder and remains in that position for the entire workday. With a sound level meter, the microphone is stationed near the employee's head, and the instrument is usually held by an individual who follows the employee as he or she moves about.\nManufacturer's instructions, contained in dosimeter and sound level meter operating manuals, should be followed for calibration and maintenance. To ensure accurate results, it is considered good professional practice to calibrate instruments before and after each use.\nHow often is it necessary to monitor noise levels?\nThe amendment requires that when there are significant changes in machinery or production processes that may result in increased noise levels, remonitoring must be conducted to determine whether additional employees need to be included in the hearing conservation program. Many companies choose to remonitor periodically (once every year or two) to ensure that all exposed employees are included in their hearing conservation programs.\nWhere can equipment and technical advice be obtained?\nNoise monitoring equipment may be either purchased or rented. Sound level meters cost about $500 to $1,000, while dosimeters range in price from about $750 to $1,500. Smaller companies may find it more economical to rent equipment rather than to purchase it. Names of equipment suppliers may be found in the telephone book (Yellow Pages) under headings such as: “Safety Equipment,” “Industrial Hygiene,” or “Engineers-Acoustical.” In addition to providing information on obtaining noise monitoring equipment, many companies and individuals included under such listings can provide professional advice on how to conduct a valid noise monitoring program. Some audiological testing firms and industrial hygiene firms also provide noise monitoring services. Universities with audiology, industrial hygiene, or acoustical engineering departments may also provide information or may be able to help employers meet their obligations under this amendment.\nFree, on-site assistance may be obtained from OSHA-supported state and private consultation organizations. These safety and health consultative entities generally give priority to the needs of small businesses.\nAppendix H to § 1910.95—Availability of Referenced Documents\nParagraphs (c) through (o) of 29 CFR 1910.95 and the accompanying appendices contain provisions which incorporate publications by reference. Generally, the publications provide criteria for instruments to be used in monitoring and audiometric testing. These criteria are intended to be mandatory when so indicated in the applicable paragraphs of § 1910.95 and appendices.\nIt should be noted that OSHA does not require that employers purchase a copy of the referenced publications. Employers, however, may desire to obtain a copy of the referenced publications for their own information.\nThe designation of the paragraph of the standard in which the referenced publications appear, the titles of the publications, and the availability of the publications are as follows:\nParagraph designation Referenced publication Available from—\nAppendix B “List of Personal Hearing Protectors and Attenuation Data,” HEW Pub. No. 76-120, 1975. NTIS-PB267461 National Technical Information Service, Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA 22161.\nAppendix D “Specification for Sound Level Meters,” S1.4-1971 (R1976) American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.\n§ 1910.95(k)(2), appendix E “Specifications for Audiometers,” S3.6-1969 American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.\nAppendix D “Specification for Octave, Half-Octave and Third-Octave Band Filter Sets,” S1.11-1971 (R1976) Back Numbers Department, Dept. STD, American Institute of Physics, 333 E. 45th St., New York, NY 10017; American National Standards Institute, Inc., 1430 Broadway, New York, NY 10018.\nThe referenced publications (or a microfiche of the publications) are available for review at many universities and public libraries throughout the country. These publications may also be examined at the OSHA Technical Data Center, Room N2439, United States Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20210, (202) 219-7500 or at any OSHA Regional Office (see telephone directories under United States Government—Labor Department).\nAppendix I to § 1910.95—Definitions\nThese definitions apply to the following terms as used in paragraphs (c) through (n) of 29 CFR 1910.95.\nAction level—An 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels measured on the A-scale, slow response, or equivalently, a dose of fifty percent.\nAudiogram—A chart, graph, or table resulting from an audiometric test showing an individual's hearing threshold levels as a function of frequency.\nAudiologist—A professional, specializing in the study and rehabilitation of hearing, who is certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association or licensed by a state board of examiners.\nBaseline audiogram—The audiogram against which future audiograms are compared.\nCriterion sound level—A sound level of 90 decibels.\nDecibel (dB)—Unit of measurement of sound level.\nHertz (Hz)—Unit of measurement of frequency, numerically equal to cycles per second.\nMedical pathology—A disorder or disease. For purposes of this regulation, a condition or disease affecting the ear, which should be treated by a physician specialist.\nNoise dose—The ratio, expressed as a percentage, of (1) the time integral, over a stated time or event, of the 0.6 power of the measured SLOW exponential time-averaged, squared A-weighted sound pressure and (2) the product of the criterion duration (8 hours) and the 0.6 power of the squared sound pressure corresponding to the criterion sound level (90 dB).\nNoise dosimeter—An instrument that integrates a function of sound pressure over a period of time in such a manner that it directly indicates a noise dose.\nOtolaryngologist—A physician specializing in diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the ear, nose and throat.\nRepresentative exposure—Measurements of an employee's noise dose or 8-hour time-weighted average sound level that the employers deem to be representative of the exposures of other employees in the workplace.\nSound level—Ten times the common logarithm of the ratio of the square of the measured A-weighted sound pressure to the square of the standard reference pressure of 20 micropascals. Unit: decibels (dB). For use with this regulation, SLOW time response, in accordance with ANSI S1.4-1971 (R1976), is required.\nSound level meter—An instrument for the measurement of sound level.\nTime-weighted average sound level—That sound level, which if constant over an 8-hour exposure, would result in the same noise dose as is measured.","path":["Title 29—Labor","Subtitle B—Regulations Relating to Labor","CHAPTER XVII—OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF LABOR","PART 1910—OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS","Subpart G—Occupational Health and Environmental Control"],"source_url":"https://www.ecfr.gov/api/versioner/v1/full/2026-08-25/title-29.xml","current_through":"2026-08-25","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-08-27T02:25:20Z","sha256":"2a3f8e190b38cfd890f3a6ffc30c9fdc4063a5b9ccdf64640091b53fd9d140ac","source_id":"us-cfr","stale":true,"prev":"us/29-cfr-1910.94","next":"us/29-cfr-1910.97"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}