Aircraft & Aerospace Manufacturing (NAICS 3364) generates occupational noise exposures that require mandatory OSHA 1910.95 hearing conservation programs at most facilities. Aircraft and aerospace manufacturing (NAICS 3364) is subject to OSHA 1910.95 for general industry operations. Engine test facilities and riveting operations are the highest-exposure environments. OSHA According to CDC/NIOSH, approximately 22 million U.S. workers are exposed to hazardous occupational noise annually, and aerospace workers are among those with significant hearing loss risk from primary production operations.
Soundtrace delivers in-house audiometric testing and noise monitoring for aerospace operations — ANSI S3.1-compliant, automated STS detection, and licensed audiologist Professional Supervisor review.
Noise Levels by Process: NAICS 3364
| Equipment / Process | Typical Level | Typical 8-hr TWA | OSHA Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine test cell | 110–140 dBA | 100–115 dBA | Far exceeds PEL — double HPD typically required |
| Riveting (pneumatic) | 100–110 dBA | 95–105 dBA | Significantly exceeds PEL |
| Metal forming / stamping | 90–105 dBA | 88–98 dBA | At or above PEL |
| Surface grinding / finishing | 90–100 dBA | 88–96 dBA | At or above PEL |
| Composite cutting / routing | 90–100 dBA | 88–96 dBA | At or above action level; many exceed PEL |
| General assembly | 80–90 dBA | 80–88 dBA | Monitor before assuming below AL |
| Clean-room / electronics | 60–75 dBA | <80 dBA | Typically below action level |
Aircraft and aerospace manufacturing (NAICS 3364) is subject to OSHA 1910.95 for general industry operations. Engine test facilities and riveting operations are the highest-exposure environments. OSHA enforcement in aerospace has historically focused on engine test cell noise exposure controls and HPD adequacy for riveting operations. Defense contractors are subject to the same 1910.95 requirements as commercial manufacturers.
OSHA 1910.95 Compliance Requirements
All aerospace workers at or above the 85 dBA action level must be enrolled in the full six-element OSHA 1910.95 hearing conservation program: noise monitoring, audiometric testing, hearing protection, training, recordkeeping, and access to information. Workers above the 90 dBA PEL also require a documented engineering controls assessment. See: audiometric testing for employers: complete guide.
OSHA Citation Patterns: NAICS 3364
| Violation Type | Frequency | Typical Penalty Range |
|---|---|---|
| Late or missing baseline audiograms (1910.95(g)(5)) | Very high | $2,000–$7,000 |
| Annual audiogram schedule failures (1910.95(g)(6)) | High | $2,000–$7,000 |
| No noise monitoring — assumed below action level without data (1910.95(d)) | High | $1,000–$5,000 |
| No engineering controls assessment above PEL (1910.95(b)(1)) | Moderate | $3,000–$9,000 |
| Inadequate HPD for actual exposure levels (1910.95(i)) | Moderate | $2,000–$6,000 |
| Missing or incomplete training records (1910.95(k)) | High | $1,000–$4,000 |
Workers’ Compensation Exposure
Aerospace workers, particularly those in engine test and riveting roles, develop significant occupational NIHL that generates WC claims. The high CPC values for aerospace-related audiometric testing keywords reflect that aerospace EHS managers are actively searching for compliance solutions.
The primary defense tools: a pre-employment baseline audiogram establishing the worker's hearing at hire, continuous annual audiometric records with no gaps, noise monitoring documentation by job classification, and HPD provision and fit testing records. Without complete documentation, apportionment of hearing loss between employers or between occupational and non-occupational causes cannot be performed. See: workers’ compensation for occupational hearing loss.
Industry-Specific Considerations
Engine test cell personnel require hearing conservation programs that specifically address exposures far above the PEL. Dual HPD is typically required. The audiometric program must confirm that HPD is providing adequate protection by tracking threshold trends in test cell workers over time.
In-house audiometric testing for aerospace operations
Soundtrace delivers OSHA-compliant audiometric testing and noise monitoring for aerospace employers — automated STS detection, 30-year cloud retention, and licensed audiologist supervision.
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