Question of whether the noise standard is adjusted for workshifts greater than 8 hours.

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.

 

Noise exposure standard and impairment adjustments.

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 9, 1993

A. Munson Fuller, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Tulsa Otolaryngology, Inc.
St. John Medical Center
Physicians Building
Suite 100
1725 East 19th Street
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74104

Dear Dr. Fuller:

This is in response to your letter of May 11, concerning hearing impairment, and confirms the information you previously received by telephone from this office.

Hearing conservation standard questions.

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 9,1994

J. Christopher Nutter, President
Safety and Industrial Hygiene Division
IMS Inc.
2911 Peach Street
Erie, Pennsylvania 16508

Dear Mr. Nutter:

This is in response to your letter of February 16, concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Hearing Conservation Standard. We will repeat each of your questions and follow with an answer.

1. Has there been any changes to the standard (1910.95) since the Federal Register, Volume 48, Number 46, Tuesday, March 8, 1983?

Clarification of the policy for classifying violations as repeated, as well as clarification of specific regulations.

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.

August 1, 1994

C. M. Carter, CIH
Mountain Technical Cente
10100 West Ute Avenue (80127)
Post Office Box 625005
Littleton, Colorado 80162-5005

Dear Mr. Carter:

OSHA is currently considering criteria for recording occupational hearing loss on the OSHA form 200.

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.

November 24, 1987

Mr. David J. Eisen
Director Research and Information
The Newspaper Guild
1125 Fifteenth Street, N.W., Room 550
Washington, D.C. 20005

Dear Mr. Eisen:

Compliance determination based on worst day noise exposure.

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.

September 15, 1981

K. E. Anderson, Director
Corporate Safety and Industrial Hygiene
A. O. Smith Corporation
Post Office Box 584
Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53201

Dear Mr. Anderson:

Occupational Noise Exposure Standard when an employee with a history of off-the-job noise exposure.

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.

January 23, 1995

Lawrence A. Cooke, C.I.H.
Manager of OH & S
Alcan Aluminum Corporation Post
Office Box 6977 Cleveland, Ohio 44101-1977

Dear Mr. Cooke:

This is in response to your letter of July 13, 1994, concerning the hearing conservation program in one of your companies.

Placement of the noise dosimeter microphone for measuring the noise exposure of an employee using an airline respirator equipped with a shroud.

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.

February 24, 1997

Robert Hofer, C.I.H.
Safety/Industrial Health Engineer
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
1144 E. Market Street
Akron, Ohio 44316

Dear Mr. Hofer:

This is in response to your letter of October 28, 1996, regarding placement of the noise dosimeter microphone for measuring the noise exposure of an employee using an airline respirator equipped with a shroud.

Voluntary safety and health audits under the Occupational Safety and Health Act

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.

September 11, 1996

Mr. Frank White
Vice President
Organization Resources Counselors, Inc.
1910 Sunderland Place, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036

Dear Mr. White:

Thank you for your letter to Secretary Reich concerning voluntary safety and health audits under the Occupational Safety and Health Act (the Act). Secretary Reich has asked me to respond. I appreciate Organization Resource Counselors' (ORC) interest in this issue. ORC's expertise in occupational safety and health issues is well established, and its views merit careful consideration.

Requirements of the Occupational Noise Exposure Standard with regards to hearing protectors.

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 26, 1996

The Honorable Tim Hutchinson
U.S. House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-0403

Dear Congressman Hutchinson: