General Industry
Who is covered: Employees whose noise exposures equal or exceed the 85 dBA 8-hr TWA Action Level.
Evaluation performed by: Audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other physician (with CAOHC-certified technician permitted to administer tests under their responsibility)
🩺 Baseline / Pre-Placement
Within 6 months of an employee's first exposure at/above the Action Level (up to 1 year if a mobile test van is used, with hearing protectors worn after 6 months until the baseline is obtained) — 1910.95(g)(5)
- Pure-tone, air-conduction audiometric test of each ear at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz — 1910.95(h)(1)
- Preceded by at least 14 hours without workplace noise exposure (hearing protectors may substitute for that quiet period) — 1910.95(g)(5)(iii)
- Audiometer functional/calibration checks; test room meeting Appendix D ambient-noise limits
🕒 Periodic / Routine
Interval-based while exposed at/above the Action Level — NOT result-triggered
Schedule: A new audiogram at least ANNUALLY after the baseline — 1910.95(g)(6)
- Pure-tone, air-conduction audiometric test of each ear at 500, 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 6000 Hz — 1910.95(h)(1)
- Comparison of the annual audiogram against the baseline to determine whether a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) has occurred (average shift of 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear) — 1910.95(g)(10)(i)
Abnormal results & exposure-event protocols
Abnormal Results & Exposure-Event Protocols
- Standard Threshold Shift (STS) identified on an annual audiogram (avg ≥10 dB at 2000/3000/4000 Hz in either ear), unless a physician/audiologist determines the STS is not work-related or aggravated by occupational noise 1910.95(g)(8)(ii): Within the required timeframes: (1) fit/refit affected employees with hearing protectors, train them, and require use; for employees already using protectors, refit/retrain and provide protectors with greater attenuation if needed; (2) refer the employee for a clinical audiological evaluation or otological examination if additional testing is needed or if a medical pathology of the ear is suspected as caused/aggravated by hearing protector use; (3) inform the employee of the need for a medical evaluation if a medical ear pathology unrelated to protector use is suspected. Notify employee in writing within 21 days of the determination. Tests: Written notification to employee within 21 days — 1910.95(g)(8)(i), Hearing-protector fitting/refitting, training, and required use (with greater attenuation if indicated), Referral for clinical audiological evaluation or otological examination when indicated, Retest of the audiogram permitted to confirm a persistent STS
- Persistent STS that the professional determines may be reported as a recordable hearing-loss case 1910.95(g)(9): Employer may obtain a confirmation audiogram within 30 days and revise the baseline (audiogram revision) when the STS is persistent; record on the OSHA 300 log if criteria met. Tests: Confirmation audiogram within 30 days, Baseline revision when STS persists
Reporting Requirements
| Who performs the evaluation | Audiometric tests performed by a licensed/certified audiologist, otolaryngologist, or other physician, OR by a technician certified by the Council for Accreditation in Occupational Hearing Conservation (CAOHC) who is responsible to the audiologist/physician (microprocessor-audiometer operators need not be certified but must be supervised). Audiogram review and STS/work-relatedness determinations made by an audiologist, otolaryngologist, or physician — 1910.95(g)(3). |
|---|---|
| Reported to employer | No employer-directed written fitness opinion under 1910.95. The professional reviewing audiograms determines whether an STS occurred and whether it is work-related; the employer acts on STS follow-up obligations. |
| Reported to / for the employee | Employee must be informed IN WRITING within 21 days of the determination that a Standard Threshold Shift (STS) has occurred — 1910.95(g)(8)(i). |
| Time limits | STS written notification to employee within 21 days of the determination. |
| Recordkeeping | Audiometric test records retained for the DURATION of the affected employee's employment — 1910.95(m)(3). (Noise-exposure measurement records: 2 years.) |
Medical Removal Protection
No MRP. On a Standard Threshold Shift, the employer must refit/retrain hearing protectors (greater attenuation if needed) and refer for clinical/otological evaluation when indicated (see abnormal_protocols). No exit audiogram is mandated by 1910.95.