Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Conservation
OSHA 3074
2002 (Revised)
Hearing
Conservation
U.S. Department of Labor
Elaine L. Chao, Secretary
Occupational Safety and Health Administration
John L. Henshaw, Assistant Secretary
OSHA 3074
2002 (Revised)
ii
Contents
Hearing Conservation
What is occupational noise exposure? ............................................. 1
What monitoring is required? ......................................................... 2
What is audiometric testing? .......................................................... 3
What is a baseline audiogram? ....................................................... 4
What are annual audiograms? ........................................................ 4
What is an employer required to do
following an audiogram evaluation? ............................................... 5
When is an employer required to
provide hearing protectors? ............................................................ 6
What training is required? .............................................................. 7
What exposure and testing records
must employers keep? .................................................................... 7
iv
Hearing Conservation
What is occupational noise exposure?
Noise, or unwanted sound, is one of the most pervasive
occupational health problems. It is a by-product of many
industrial processes. Sound consists of pressure changes in
a medium (usually air), caused by vibration or turbulence.
These pressure changes produce waves emanating away
from the turbulent or vibrating source. Exposure to high
levels of noise causes hearing loss and may cause other
harmful health effects as well. The extent of damage
depends primarily on the intensity of the noise and the
duration of the exposure.
Noise-induced hearing loss can be temporary or
permanent. Temporary hearing loss results from short-term
exposures to noise, with normal hearing returning after
period of rest. Generally, prolonged exposure to high noise
levels over a period of time gradually causes permanent
damage.
OSHAs hearing conservation program is designed to
protect workers with significant occupational noise exposures
from hearing impairment even if they are subject to such
noise exposures over their entire working lifetimes.
This publication summarizes the required component of
OSHAs hearing conservation program for general industry.
It covers monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protectors,
training, and recordkeeping requirements.
For any period exceeding 6 months from the time they are
first exposed to 8-hour TWA noise levels of 85 dB or above,
until they receive their baseline audiograms if these tests
are delayed due to mobile test van scheduling;
If they have incurred standard threshold shifts that
demonstrate they are susceptible to noise; and
If they are exposed to noise over the permissible exposure
limit of 90 dB over an 8-hour TWA.
OSHA Assistance,
Services, and Programs
How can OSHA help me?
OSHA can provide extensive help through a variety
of programs, including assistance about safety and health
programs, state plans, workplace consultations, voluntary
protection programs, strategic partnerships, alliances, and
training and education. An overall commitment to workplace
safety and health can add value to your business, to your
workplace, and to your life.
Worksite analysis,
10
13
What do I do in case of an
emergency or to file a complaint?
To report an emergency, file a complaint, or seek OSHA
advice, assistance, or products, call (800) 321 OSHA or
contact your nearest OSHA regional, area, state plan,
or consultation office listed at the end of this publication.
The teletypewriter (TTY) number is (877) 8895627.
Employees can also file a complaint online and get more
information on OSHA federal and state programs by visiting
OSHAs website at www.osha.gov.
15
Region VI
Region II
Region VII
Region III
(DE, DC, MD,* PA,* VA,* WV)
The Curtis Center
170 S. Independence Mall West
Suite 740 West
Philadelphia, PA 19106-3309
(215) 8614900
Region VIII
Region IV
Region IX
Region V
Region X
*These states and territories operate their own OSHA-approved job safety
and health programs. The Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York plans
cover public employees only. States with approved programs must have a
standard that is identical to, or at least as effective as, the federal standard.
16
Savannah, GA
(912) 6524393
Birmingham, AL
(205) 7311534
Smyrna, GA
(770) 9848700
Mobile, AL
(251) 4416131
Tucker, GA
(770) 4936644/6742/8419
Little Rock, AR
(501) 3246291/5818
Des Moines, IA
(515) 2844794
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 6402348
Boise, ID
(208) 3212960
Sacramento, CA
(916) 5667471
Calumet City, IL
(708) 8913800
San Diego, CA
(415) 9754310
Des Plaines, IL
(847) 8034800
Denver, CO
(303) 8445285
Fairview Heights, IL
(618) 6328612
Greenwood Village, CO
(303) 8434500
North Aurora, IL
(630) 8968700
Bridgeport, CT
(203) 5795581
Peoria, IL
(309) 6717033
Hartford, CT
(860) 2403152
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 2267290
Wilmington, DE
(302) 5736518
Wichita, KS
(316) 2696644
Fort Lauderdale, FL
(954) 4240242
Frankfort, KY
(502) 2277024
Jacksonville, FL
(904) 2322895
Baton Rouge, LA
(225) 3890474/0431)
Tampa, FL
(813) 6261177
Braintree, MA
(617) 5656924
17
Methuen, MA
(617) 5658110
Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
(201) 2881700
Springfield, MA
(413) 7850123
Marlton, NJ
(856) 7575181
Linthicum, MD
(410) 8652055/2056
Parsippany, NJ
(973) 2631003
Bangor, ME
(207) 9418177
Carson City, NV
(775) 8856963
Portland, ME
(207) 7803178
Albany, NY
(518) 4644338
Lansing, MI
(517) 3270904
Bayside, NY
(718) 2799060
Minneapolis, MN
(612) 6645460
Bowmansville, NY
(716) 6843891
Kansas City, MO
(816) 4839531
New York, NY
(212) 3372636
St. Louis, MO
(314) 4254249
North Syracuse, NY
(315) 4510808
Jackson, MS
(601) 9654606
Tarrytown, NY
(914) 5247510
Billings, MT
(406) 2477494
Westbury, NY
(516) 3343344
Raleigh, NC
(919) 8564770
Cincinnati, OH
(513) 8414132
Bismark, ND
(701) 2504521
Cleveland, OH
(216) 5223818
Omaha, NE
(402) 2213182
Columbus, OH
(614) 4695582
Concord, NH
(603) 2251629
Toledo, OH
(419) 2597542
Avenel, NJ
(732) 7503270
Oklahoma City, OK
(405) 2789560
18
Portland, OR
(503) 3262251
El Paso, TX
(915) 5346251
Allentown, PA
(610) 7760592
Fort Worth, TX
(817) 4282470
(817) 4857647
Erie, PA
(814) 8335758
Harrisburg, PA
(717) 7823902
Philadelphia, PA
(215) 5974955
Pittsburgh, PA
(412) 3954903
WilkesBarre, PA
(570) 826 6538
Guaynabo, PR
(787) 2771560
Providence, RI
(401) 5284669
Columbia, SC
(803) 7655904
Nashville, TN
(615) 7815423
Austin, TX
(512) 9165783/5788
Corpus Christi, TX
(361) 8883420
Dallas, TX
(214) 3202400 /2558
Houston, TX
(281) 5912438 /2787
Houston, TX
(281) 2860583 /0584 /5922
Lubbock, TX
(806) 4727681 / 7685
Salt Lake City, UT
(801) 5306901
Norfolk, VA
(757) 4413820
Bellevue, WA
(206) 5537520
Appleton, WI
(920) 7344521
Eau Claire, WI
(715) 8329019
Madison, WI
(608) 2645388
Milwaukee, WI
(414) 2973315
Charleston, WV
(304) 3475937
19
OSHA-Approved
Safety and Health Plans
Alaska Department of Labor
and Workforce Development
Commissioner
(907) 4652700
FAX: (907) 4652784
Director
(808) 5868844
FAX: (808) 5869099
Program Director
(907) 2694904
FAX: (907) 269 4915
Administrator
(808) 5869116
FAX: (808) 5869104
Industrial Commission
of Arizona
Director, ICA
(602) 5424411
FAX: (602) 5421614
Program Director
(602) 5425795
FAX: (602) 5421614
Commissioner
(317) 2322378
FAX: (317) 2333790
Deputy Commissioner
(317) 2323325
FAX: (317) 2333790
Iowa Division of Labor
California Department
of Industrial Relations
Director
(415) 7035050
FAX: (415) 7035114
Chief
(415) 7035100
FAX: (415) 7035114
Manager, Cal/ OSHA
Program Office
(415) 7035177
FAX: (415) 7035114
Connecticut Department
of Labor
Commissioner
(860) 5665123
FAX: (860) 5661520
ConnOSHA Director
(860) 5664550
FAX: (860) 5666916
20
Commissioner
(515) 2816432
FAX: (515) 2814698
Administrator
(515) 2813469
FAX: (515) 2817995
Kentucky Labor Cabinet
Secretary
(502) 5643070
FAX: (502) 5645387
Federal / State Coordinator
(502) 5643070, x240
FAX: (502) 5641682
Maryland Division
of Labor and Industry
Commissioner
(410) 7672999
FAX: (410) 7672300
Deputy Commissioner
(410) 7672992
FAX: 7672003
Assistant Commissioner, MOSH
(410) 7672215
FAX: 7672003
Michigan Department of
Consumer and Industry Services
Director
(517) 3221814
FAX: (517) 3221775
Minnesota Department
of Labor and Industry
Commissioner
(651) 2962342
FAX: (651) 2825405
Assistant Commissioner
(651) 2966529
FAX: (651) 2825293
Administrative Director,
OSHA Management Team
(651) 2825772
FAX: (651) 2972527
Nevada Division
of Industrial Relations
Administrator
(775) 6873032
FAX: (775) 6876305
Chief Administrative Officer
(702) 4869044
FAX: (702) 9900358
[Las Vegas (702) 6875240]
Administrator
(801) 5306898
FAX: (801) 5306390
Secretary
(787) 7542119
FAX: (787) 7539550
Vermont Department
of Labor and Industry
22
Commissioner
(802) 8282288
FAX: (802) 8282748
Project Manager
(802) 8282765
FAX: (802) 8282195
Virgin Islands Department
of Labor
Acting Commissioner
(340) 7731990
FAX: (340) 7731858
Program Director
(340) 7721315
FAX: (340) 7724323
Virginia Department
of Labor and Industry
Commissioner
(804) 7862377
FAX: (804) 3716524
Director, Office of Legal Support
(804) 7869873
FAX: (804) 7868418
Washington Department
of Labor and Industries
Director
(360) 9024200
FAX: (360) 9024202
Assistant Director
[PO Box 44600]
(360) 9025495
FAX: (360) 9025529
Program Manager,
FederalState Operations
(360) 9025430
FAX: (360) 9025529
Wyoming Department
of Employment
Safety Administrator
(307) 7777786
FAX: (307) 7773646
23
Indianapolis, IN
(317) 2322688
Tuscaloosa, AL
(205) 3483033
Topeka, KS
(785) 2962251
Little Rock, AR
(501) 6824522
Frankfort, KY
(502) 5646895
Phoenix, AZ
(602) 5421695
Baton Rouge, LA
(225) 3429601
Sacramento, CA
(916) 2632856
West Newton, MA
(617) 7273982
Fort Collins, CO
(970) 4916151
Laurel, MD
(410) 8804970
Wethersfield, CT
(860) 5664550
Augusta, ME
(207) 6246400
Washington, DC
(202) 5413727
Lansing, MI
(517) 3221809
Wilmington, DE
(302) 7618219
Saint Paul, MN
(651) 2845060
Tampa, FL
(813) 9749962
Jefferson City, MO
(573) 7513403
Atlanta, GA
(404) 8942643
Pearl, MS
(601) 9392047
Tiyam, GU
91(671) 4751101
Helena, MT
(406) 4446418
Honolulu, HI
(808) 5869100
Raleigh, NC
(919) 8072905
Des Moines, IA
(515) 2817629
Bismarck, ND
(701) 3285188
Boise, ID
(208) 4263283
Lincoln, NE
(402) 4714717
Chicago, IL
(312) 8142337
Concord, NH
(603) 2712024
24
Trenton, NJ
(609) 2923923
Nashville, TN
(615) 7417036
Santa Fe, NM
(505) 8274230
Austin, TX
(512) 8044640
Albany, NY
(518) 4572238
Henderson, NV
(702) 4869140
Montpelier, VT
(802) 8282765
Columbus, OH
(614) 6442631
Richmond, VA
(804) 7866359
Oklahoma City, OK
(405) 5281500
Salem, OR
(503) 3783272
Olympia, WA
(360) 9025638
Indiana, PA
(724) 3572396
Madison, WI
(608) 2669383
Hato Rey, PR
(787) 7542171
Waukesha, WI
(262) 5233044
Providence, RI
(401) 2222438
Charleston, WV
(304) 5587890
Columbia, SC
(803) 7349614
Cheyenne, WY
(307) 7777786
Brookings, SD
(605) 688 4101
25