Occupational Noise Exposure

The OSHA standard 1910.95, Occupational Noise Exposure, is designed to protect general industry employees, such as those working in the manufacturing, utilities, and service sectors.

1910.95 establishes that protection against the effects of noise exposure in the workplace that must be provided to employees when sound levels exceed those set in the standard.

When employees are subjected to sound exceeding the listed levels, called Permissible Exposure Levels (PELs), then feasible controls (called administrative and engineering controls) must be used. We will explain these controls on the next page.

PELs are listed in Table G-16 in the standard, shown at right. You might also hear the term TLV, which stands for Threshold Limit Values. TLVs are similar to PELs, but they are set by the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH).

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