What Does OSHA Require for Hearing Protection?

OSHA requires protection from noise exposure when sound levels exceed 85 decibels. Administrative and engineering controls must be used if workers are exposed to noise levels greater than 90 decibels. Hearing protection can be used to reduce noise exposure during and after implementation of administrative and engineering controls.

Monitor

• The level of noise in decibels must be determined with a sound-level meter on slow response for the A-weighted scale (dBA). These samples should be taken on exposed employees and in areas suspected of high noise exposure.

Acceptable Levels

• The eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) for noise is 90 dBA. This is a safe level of exposure for the average worker.

Action Level

• OSHA requires employers to take action to protect hearing, including employee audiograms, at 85 dBA or higher.

Required Actions

• An employer must have a hearing-conservation program at or above 85 dBA. An employer must implement engineering and administrative controls at or above 90 dBA.

Hearing Protection

• Earplugs, earmuffs and aural caps (ear bands) are used to reduce noise when administrative and engineering controls are being installed or maintained and after installation, if needed.

Employer Responsibility

• The employer must make hearing protectors available to employees exposed to 85 dBA or higher, at no cost to the employee.