Product endorsement policy and telephone headsets.

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

AUG 24 1990

Eric A. Sisco, Esq. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius 801 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles, California 90017-3189

Re: Telephone Headsets

Dear Mr. Sisco:

I am writing to formally respond to questions you raised in the course of a discussion we had on August 21, 1990. Your questions pertained to the general policy of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on product endorsement, and application of the occupational noise exposure standard to telephone headsets.

Response to letter suggesting that the noise standard of 90 dB(A) is set at too high a level, and should be 85 dB(A) or less.

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

July 10, 1986

The Honorable Thomas S. Foley
House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman Foley:

Thank you for your letter of June 10, on behalf of your constituent, Mr. Jeff Jacques, suggesting that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Noise Exposure Standard of 90 dB(A) is set at too high a level, and that the level should be set at 85 dB(A) or less.

The noise standard applies to environments with undue atmospheric pressure.

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

June 16, 1986

Bruce A. Sanderson
P.O. Box 1166
Bonita, California 92002

Dear Mr. Sanderson:

This is in response to your inquiry of May 22, to the Health Standards Directorate of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding hearing loss, noise, and civil service exams for audiologists.

Applicability of 1910.95 to cotton gins.

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

April 1, 1987

Mr. Jack O. Nelson, Jr.
Nelson & Nelson
Attorneys at Law
1220 RepublicBank Building
916 Main Street
Lubbock, Texas 79401

Dear Mr. Nelson:

This is in response to your letter of March 27 concerning the applicability of the standard for occupational noise exposure, 29 CFR 1910.95, to cotton gins.

Calculating of hearing threshold shifts.

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

March 18, 1987

Ms. Mari Franqui, M.A.
Advantage Health Systems, Inc.
Suite 350
14062 Denver West Parkway
Golden, Colorado 80401

Dear Ms. Franqui:

This is in response to your letter of December 17,1986, regarding the calculating of hearing threshold shift.

Calibration of noise dosimeters

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

December 10, 1986

P. W. Hess, Ph.D.
Director, Environmental Affairs
Hershey Foods Corporation
Technical Center
Post Office Box 805
Hershey, Pennsylvania 17033-0805

Dear Dr. Hess:

Hearing conservation programs and "ear blasts" on communication headsets

Archive Notice - OSHA Archive

NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

December 7, 1987

Dr. Todd Sagin
Abington Memorial Hospital
Family Practice Center
Abington, Pennsylvania 19001

Dear Dr. Sagin:

This is in response to your letter of November 20, to Dr. Ralph Yodaiken of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Office of Occupational Medicine inquiring about hearing conservation programs and "ear blasts" on communications headsets. Dr. Yodaiken asked me to answer your questions.

Reduction of noise exposure for metal spray operations.

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

November 20, 1987

Mr. Brent Miller
Metco Technical Field Engineer
Weldwell New Zealand 2581

Dear Mr. Miller:

This is in response to your inquiry of October 30, to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requesting information on the OSHA occupational noise exposure standard and publications regarding metal spray operations safety (presumably from the effects of noise). Your letter was forwarded to the Directorate of Technical Support for reply.

Comparison to baseline audiograms and retest audiograms

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 24, 1983

Mr. David Efros
President
CSDS Occupational Health Services
P.O. Box 26112
Tempe, Arizona 85282

Dear Mr. Efros:

Thank you for your letter of May 5, 1983, asking for a clarification of the hearing conservation amendment provisions for baseline, annual, and revised baseline audiograms.

Applicability of the noise standard to pulpwood logging.

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. This 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. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

July 13, 1982