Office of the Vice President for University Administration

Noise levels capable of causing permanent damage to hearing can be generated by a wide variety of sources including construction, machinery, steam generation, concerts and heavy equipment. Employers have a responsibility to determine where hazardous noise exposures may exist and take steps to protect affected employees.

Hearing Conservation Program

29 CFR 1910.95 - OSHA Occupational Noise Exposure

Departments and supervisors are responsible for identifying areas or conditions which may require noise level monitoring to identify employees that may be routinely exposed to noise at or above an 8-hour Time-Weighted Average (TWA) of 85 decibels (dB). This noise level is referred to as the Action Level. Typical conditions that would suggest the possibility of overexposure include employee complaints, indications that an employee's hearing capability is diminishing, or noise conditions that make normal conversation difficult. Additional monitoring must be performed if there are significant changes in machinery, controls or processes that may increase noise levels.
Hearing protective devices must be available to all employees exposed to noise levels at or above the Action Level. Hearing protective devices must be worn by the following employees:

Those exposed at or above 85 dB TWA;
Those that developed a Standard Threshold Shift (loss in hearing in either ear of 10dB or more at 2000, 3000 and 4000 Hz);
Those whose noise exposures exceed the Action Level, until a baseline audiogram is obtained.

Hearing protection must attenuate employee exposure below 85dB TWA.
Affected employees are entitled to observe monitoring procedures and they must be notified of exposure monitoring if levels are determined at or above 85 dB. The supervisor must make a copy of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard 29 CFR 1910.95 available to employees and post a copy in the workplace.
A baseline audiogram (hearing test) must be provided to employees whose 8-hr TWA meets or exceeds the Action Level. This baseline testing must be performed within 6 months of the employee's first exposure to noise at or above the Action Level. Annual audiograms must be performed for each employee exposed at or above the Action Level to monitor changes in hearing ability. Annual audiograms are compared to initial baseline levels to identify hearing loss (i.e., Standard Threshold Shift).

If a Standard Threshold Shift is identified, employees must be fit or refitted with hearing protection adequate to attenuate noise levels below the Action Level. Employees must be notified of a Standard Threshold Shift within 21 days of its determination.
Supervisors must supervise the correct use of hearing protection.

Employees exposed to noise levels at or above the Action Level must be trained at least annually by EH&S or supervisory personnel knowledgeable of the requirements of the ASU Hearing Conservation Program on the following subjects:

Noise exposure measurements must be maintained for two years. The Program Administrator shall maintain accurate records of all employee exposure measurements. Noise exposure measurement records must be kept for 2 years and all employee audiometric testing records for the duration of employment.

Mailing Address: PO Box 873804, Tempe, Arizona 85287-3804
Contact Email: EHS@asu.edu
Phone: (480) 965-1823
FAX: (480) 965-0736


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