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.