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.

NOTICE:

How to Request a Letter of Interpretation

Filters


Date Title Standard Number
Retention of exposure and audiometric testing records by successor employers. 1910.95, 1910.95(m)(5), 1910.95(m)(3)
Recording criteria for recordkeeping cases involving occupational hearing loss. 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.10(b)(4), 1910.95(m)(2)
Employees with occasional exposure to noise levels in excess of 85 dBA TWA must be included in the company's hearing conservation program. 1910.95
Minimum exposure for inclusion in the hearing conservation program (HCP); removal criteria. 1910.95, 1910.95(c)(1), 1910.95(m)
Retesting requirements if employee's annual audiogram shows a Standard Threshold Shift (STS). 1910.95, 1910.95(g)(7)(ii)
Baseline audiogram revision due to persistent STS or improved thresholds; revision must be made for each ear separately. 1910.95, 1910.95(g)(1), 1910.95(g)(5), 1910.95(g)(7), 1910.95(g)(9), 1910.95(g)(10), 1904 - Table of Contents, 1904.10
Differentiation between the 80 dBA threshold for hearing conservation and the 90 dBA PEL. 1910.95
Acceptability of Task-Based Noise Exposure Assessment Modeling (T-BEAM). 1910.95(d)(1)(i), 1910.95(d)(1)(ii)
Hearing protection and the responsibility for paying for the hearing protectors including replacement devices/parts. 1910.95, 1910.95(i)(1), 1910.132
Noise exposure measurement records must be retained for 2 years. 1910.95(m)(3)(i), 1910.1020(d)(1)
Baseline audiogram requirements for re-hire of past employee. 1910.95(g)(5), 1904.2
OSHA policy regarding PEL adjustments for extended work shifts. 1910.95, 1910 Subpart Z
OSHA's rationale for the noise exposure PEL. 1910.95, 1910.95(i)(1), 1910.95(i)(2)(i)
Occupational noise exposure standard affords protection to landscape service industry employees 1910.95
Hearing conservation: referrals, financial responsibility, and documentation. 1910.95
Placement of the noise dosimeter microphone for measuring the noise exposure of an employee using an airline respirator equipped with a shroud. 1910.95
Voluntary safety and health audits under the Occupational Safety and Health Act 1910.1020, 1910.95, 1910.119, 1910.120, 1910.132, 1910.134, 1910.137, 1910.146, 1910.147, 1910.272, 1910.1025, 1926.20
Requirements of the Occupational Noise Exposure Standard with regards to hearing protectors. 1910.95
Baseline audiograms. 1910.95
Occupational Noise Exposure Standard when an employee with a history of off-the-job noise exposure. 1910.95