Noise Exposure - Regulations

Whenever the noise level that workers are exposed to is equal to, or greater than, 90 A-weighted decibel average (dBA) over an eight-hour period, OSHA requires employers to implement an effective hearing conservation program. The A-weighted decibel average is a measure of the relative loudness of sounds perceived by the human ear. To give you an idea of how loud 90 dBA is, from about 10 feet away, a vacuum cleaner measures 70 dBA; and from about 45 feet away, a heavy truck measures about 85 dBA and a jackhammer measures 95 dBA.

The key elements of the OSHA Noise standard (29 CFR 1910.95) are as follows:

• Implementing a noise-sampling program to identify noise hazards
• Providing hearing tests to at-risk workers
• Implementing hearing protection follow-up procedures for workers who have advancing hearing loss
• Providing an adequate selection of hearing protection options to at-risk workers
• Implementing a comprehensive worker training program

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