Baseline audiograms must be established even if medical problem exists.

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, 1984

"Laboratory-based noise reduction" defined.

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 13, 1984

Mr. W. William Ament
Organization Resources Counselors, Inc.
1625 I Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20006

Dear Mr. Ament:

This is in response to your letter of January 16 concerning OSHA Instruction CPL 2-2.35A, which provides internal Agency guidelines for enforcing 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1) a provision of the occupational noise standard applying to general industry and maritime employment. 29 CFR 1910.95(b)(1) requires that feasible administrative or engineering controls be utilized to correct employee overexposure to noise.

Differentiation between the 80 dBA threshold for hearing conservation and the 90 dBA PEL.

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 26, 2001

Mr. Russell Umbraco
CALICO Lab Manager
California Department of Industrial Relations
Division of Occupational Safety and Health
1555 Doolittle Drive, Suite 140
San Leandro, CA 94577

Dear Mr. Umbraco:

Employee noise exposure assessment records are part of audiometric test record.

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 11, 1983

Wayne G. Bodenheimer, Ph.D.
Executive Vice President
Colorado Hearing and Speech Center
4280 Hale Parkway
Denver Colorado 80220

Dear Dr. Bodenheimer:

Thank you for your letter of April 19, 1983, requesting information on the recordkeeping requirements for employee noise monitoring data contained in the March 8, 1983, hearing conservation amendment.

Requirement to make a positive determination of work-relatedness of threshold shift revoked.

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 3, 1983

Steven C. White, Ph.D.
Director, Reimbursement Policy Division
American Speech - Language - Hearing Association
10801 Rockville Pike
Rockville, Maryland 20852

Dear Dr. White:

This is in response to your letter of March 16, 1983, to Assistant Secretary Auchter regarding responsibility for determining that a standard threshold shift (STS) is not work-related under the hearing conservation amendment.

Noise regulations apply to all places of entertainment.

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.

(Date Unreadable)

Mr. Alfred H. Wilson
Star Route - Box 54
Gore, Virginia 22637

Dear Mr. Wilson:

This is in response to your letter of May 2, 1983, regarding high noise levels in night clubs and similar establishments. Please accept my apology for the delay in responding.

Methods of training for microprocessor audiometer technicians.

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 26, 1983

Mr. Bert L. Scott, President
Environmental Technology Corporation
P. O. Box 1027
Roswell, Georgia 30075

Dear Mr. Scott:

Thank you for your letter of April 8, 1983, regarding the certification of microprocessor audiometer technicians.

An electroacoustic ear can be used for daily testing of an audiometer.

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 6, 1983

Mr. E. L. Friedrich
Sales Manager
Tracor Instruments
6500 Tracor Lane
Austin, Texas 78721

Dear Mr. Friedrich:

Occupational noise, including hearing conservation, in construction work.

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.

June 29, 1992

F. W. Lundy, CSM, CHCM
Corporate Safety Directo
r BE&K Construction Company
Post Office Box 12606
Birmingham, Alabama 35202-2606

Dear Mr. Lundy:

This is in response to your letter of May 4, to Acting Assistant Secretary Dorothy L. Strunk, concerning the standard applicable to occupational noise exposure in the construction industry.

Baseline audiogram revision due to persistent STS or improved thresholds; revision must be made for each ear separately.

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 8, 2003

Ms. Linda Ballas
Linda Ballas & Associates
4413 Copper Creek Lane
Toledo, OH 43615

Dear Ms. Ballas: