Hearing Conservation Programme

OSHA 29 CFR 1910.95 — Written Programme Required

Required when employees are exposed to TWA ≥85 dBA — Action Level triggers programme enrollment

Company / Organisation

Site / Facility

Revision Date

Programme Administrator

Document Number

Next Review Due

§1Purpose, Scope & OSHA Noise Thresholds1910.95(a-c)

Key thresholds: Action Level (AL) = 85 dBA TWA — programme enrollment required. Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) = 90 dBA TWA — engineering controls required. Both use 5 dB exchange rate (OSHA).

Purpose Statement

Affected work areas / job titles:

§2Noise Monitoring1910.95(d)

Required: Whenever information indicates that employee noise exposures may equal or exceed the action level, a noise monitoring programme must be established. Results must be made available to affected employees.

Monitoring method(s):

Monitoring performed by:

Monitoring frequency:

Last monitoring date:

Monitoring Results Summary (key areas / exposures)

§3Engineering & Administrative Controls1910.95(a-b)

When employee noise exposures exceed the PEL (90 dBA TWA), engineering and administrative controls must be used to the extent feasible. Hearing protection is used as a supplement, not a substitute, for feasible controls.

Engineering Controls in Place / Planned

Administrative Controls in Place

§4Hearing Protection Devices (HPD)1910.95(i)

Required: Hearing protectors must be made available to all employees exposed at or above the action level (85 dBA). Employees must wear HPD when exposures exceed the PEL or until engineering controls are implemented.

HPD types available:

HPD storage / availability:

HPD adequacy: Selected HPD must reduce employee's noise exposure to 90 dBA or below (85 dBA for employees with Standard Threshold Shift). Use the de-rated NRR: Estimated exposure = TWA − [(NRR − 7) ÷ 2].

HPD Adequacy Calculator (de-rated NRR method)

Measured TWA exposure (dBA) dBA

HPD rated NRR dB

Estimated protected exposure — dBA

Formula: TWA − [(NRR − 7) ÷ 2] = estimated exposure. Target: ≤90 dBA (≤85 dBA for STS employees).

§5Audiometric Testing1910.95(g)

Required: Annual audiometric tests must be provided to all employees whose noise exposures equal or exceed the action level (85 dBA TWA). Baseline audiogram within 6 months of first exposure.

Audiometric testing provider:

Audiologist / physician reviewer:

Annual test schedule:

Audiogram records location:

Standard Threshold Shift (STS): An STS is a change in hearing threshold averaging 10 dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in either ear. When an STS is confirmed, the employee must be: notified in writing within 21 days; retrained; refitted with HPD (if not using); and referred for further evaluation if the STS is work-related.

§6Training1910.95(k)

Training at enrolment:

Annual refresher training:

Training delivery method:

Training must cover: effects of noise on hearing; purpose of hearing protectors, advantages/disadvantages, and attenuation of various types; instructions on selection, fitting, use, and care; purpose of audiometric testing; and employee rights to audiogram results.

§7Recordkeeping1910.95(m)

The following records must be maintained:

Noise exposure measurement records — retain for 2 years
Audiometric test records — retain for duration of employment
Background sound level records — retain for 2 years
Training records — retain for 3 years (recommended)

Records custodian / system:

Approval & Sign-Off

Programme Administrator

EHS Manager

Approved Date