What is an "action level" for noise exposure under OSHA's hearing loss regulation?

To protect workers from the harmful effects of noise exposure, OSHA has established a hearing loss regulation that includes an "action level" for noise exposure. This action level is a specific threshold of noise exposure at which employers are required to take certain steps to protect their employees' hearing. In this context, an "action level" is a term that refers to the level of noise exposure at which an employer must begin implementing measures to prevent hearing loss among their workers. In this way, OSHA's hearing loss regulation and the action level for noise exposure play an important role in safeguarding workers' hearing health in the workplace.

Under OSHA's hearing loss regulation, the action level for noise exposure is 85 decibels (dBA) over an 8-hour workday. If an employee is exposed to noise levels at or above this level, the employer is required to take several steps to protect the employee's hearing, including:

1. Measuring noise levels: The employer must measure the noise levels in the workplace to determine if employees are being exposed to noise levels at or above the action level.
2. Implementing a hearing conservation program: If employees are exposed to noise levels at or above the action level, the employer must implement a hearing conservation program. This program includes providing hearing protection, conducting regular hearing tests, and training employees on how to protect their hearing.
3. Posting warning signs: The employer must post warning signs in areas where noise levels exceed the action level, indicating that hearing protection is required.
4. Conducting additional monitoring: The employer must conduct additional monitoring if noise levels increase or if there are changes in the workplace that could affect noise levels.
5. Keeping records: The employer must keep records of noise exposure measurements, hearing tests, and other relevant information related to the hearing conservation program.

Overall, the action level for noise exposure is an important threshold for employers to be aware of, as it signals the need for specific measures to protect employees' hearing from the damaging effects of noise exposure.

If you're an employer who is looking for a reliable and effective way to manage your hearing conservation program (HCP), Soundtrace can help. Soundtrace is a software platform that provides real-time monitoring and management of noise exposure data, making it easy for employers to track and analyze noise levels in the workplace.

Interested in learning more? Visit our website at www.soundtrace.com to schedule a demo or request more information.