Letters of Interpretation

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. Each letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed.

Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information.

These letters of interpretation and the standards they address may not apply to OSHA State Plans. State Plans are required to have standards and enforcement programs that are at least as effective as OSHA's and may have different or additional requirements. Please see OSHA-approved State Plans for more information.

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Date Title Standard Number
Bone conduction audiometry in lieu of pure tone air conduction audiometry for employees with severe hearing loss 1910.95, 1910.95(g)(7)(iii), 1910.95(h), 1910.95(h)(1), 1910.95(h)(3)
140 decibels (dB) impact/impulse policy under the noise standard 1910.95, 1910.95(b)(1), 1910.95(d)(2)(i), 1926.52, 1926.52(e)
Audiometric testing of a worker who may have a cochlear implant 1910.95, 1910.95(g)(1), 1910.95(g)(7)(iii)
Inspection Guidance for Animal Slaughtering and Processing Establishments 1903.8, 1904, 1910 Subpart E, 1910.95, 1910.111, 1910.119, 1910.132, 1910.141, 1910.147, 1910.212, 1910.1000, 1910.1200, 1913.10
Use of age-correction tables in OSHA's Noise standard 1904.10, 1910.95
The use of noise-canceling headphones in place of intra-aural earplugs 1910.95, 1910.95 App B, 1926.52, 1926.101
The use of ANSI S3.1-1999 (R2018) MPANLs for audiometric testing 1910.95, 1910.95 App D
Application of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed noise reduction rating (subject fit) (NRR (SF)) 1910.95, 1910.95(j)(1), 1910.95(j)(2), 1910.95(j)(3)
OSHA Noise PEL and extended workshifts 1910.95(a), 1910.95(b)(1), 1910.95(b)(3)
Measurement of background noise levels for audiograms 1910.95(h)(4), 1910.95 App D
Discretion in Enforcement when Considering an Employer's Good Faith Efforts During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Pandemic 1910.95(g)(6), 1910.119(e)(6), 1910.120(e)(8), 1910.120(p)(7), 1910.120(q)(5), 1910.120(q)(7), 1910.134(f)(2), 1910.134(k), 1910.1048(l)(4), 1919.15, 1926.1412(f)
OSHA’s Noise Standard as it applies to temporary employees audiometric testing 1910.95(g)
OSHA's Noise Standard as it applies to Supra Aural Phones for audiometric testing 1910.95(h)
Hearing Conservation Program 1910.95(c)
OSHA’s Noise Standard as it applies to medical personnel allowed to interpret audiograms 1910.95(g)(3), 1910.95(g)(7), 1910.95(g)(8)
Ear plug personal fit-testing systems that measure real-time noise reduction 1910.95 - Index, 1910.95(i)(4), 1910.95(i)(5), 1910.95(j)(1), 1910.95 App B - Index
Occupational noise exposure training requirements for technicians 1910.95(g)(3)
Insert Earphones for Audiometric Testing 1910.95 - Index, 1910.95 App D - Index
Successor Employer 1904.34, 1910.95(g)(5), 1910.95(g)(9), 1910.95(m)(3), 1910.95(m)(4), 1910.95(m)(5), 1910.1020, 1910.1029(m)(4)
Electronic Posting of the Occupational Noise Exposure Standard 1910.95, 1910.95(l)(1)