Environmental Health & Safety
Hearing Conservation Program
Revised 3/30/2024
Printable file is available with Adobe Acrobat Reader: PDF Version of the University's Hearing Conservation Program
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- INTRODUCTION
- DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS
- BACKGROUND
- A Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) of 90 dBA (TWA8) per workday, and exposure duration limits at sound levels at or above 90 dBA (TWA8);
- Requirements for the employer to reduce employee exposure to within this level by the use of feasible engineering/administrative controls;
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will be provided to the employee and used to reduce sound levels to the specified level If engineering/administrative controls do not reduce sound levels to below the specified exposure limits;
- Combined effects of noise from varying sources must be given special consideration;
- The standard requires that distinctions between continuous and intermittent noise and associated sound levels be identified;
- Exposure to continuous steady-state noise sources is limited to a maximum of 115 dBA;
- Exposure to impact or impulse noise should not exceed 140 dBA; and,
- The hearing conservation amendment - 29 CFR 1910.95 (c)(1) - requires that a "continuing effective hearing conservation program" be implemented whenever employee exposure exceeds 85 dBA (TWA8), or an equivalent dose of 50% of the exposure limit, without regard to the use of hearing protectors. This hearing conservation amendment also requires that employees whose noise exposures at the work site equal or exceed the action level of 85 dBA (TWA8) be included in a hearing conservation program. The components of this program are described later in this document.
The purpose of this program is to prevent work-related noise-indused hearing loss.
This program shall comply with OSHA's Noise Exposure Standard (29 CFR 1910.95). The University of Rochester’s Hearing Conservation Program is designed to protect employees whose duties may create hazardous noise levels or require them to work in or enter areas where the potential for high-intensity noise exposure exists.
Action Level: The sound exposure level at or above which employees must be enrolled in a hearing conservation program that includes exposure monitoring and audiometric testing, training, and noise reduction measures including the use of hearing protection. The OSHA action level is 85 dBA, expressed as an 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA8).
Decibel (dB): a unit of sound pressure, or intensity, measured on a logarithmic scale. Sound exposure measurements are typically rated on an "A-weighted" (dBA) scale that most closely approximates human hearing response.
Exchange Rate: The increase in noise level that results in the permissible exposure time being reduced by half. The OSHA standard uses a 5 dBA exchange rate.
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): OSHA sets enforceable Permissible Exposure Limits (PELs) to protect workers against adverse health effects due to exposure to hazards. PELs are regulatory limits based on an 8-hour time weighted average (TWA) exposure. The PEL for noise is 90 dBA (TWA8).
Standard Threshold Shift (STS): A change in hearing threshold relative to the baseline audiogram, possibly indicating a degradation of hearing.
Time-Weighted Average (TWA): the average exposure, based on the duration of exposure to various sound levels, over a specified period of time, usually a nominal eight hours (TWA8). This means that, for limited periods, a worker may be exposed to sound excursions higher than 90dBA, as long as the TWA of 90 dBA is not exceeded.
The OSHA Occupational Noise Exposure Standard—29 CFR 1910.95 (a) and (b)—was enacted to protect workers against the effects of high intensity occupational noise. The original standard includes the following components:
The amendment - 29 CFR 1910.95 (c) through (o) - details provisions dealing with monitoring employee noise exposures, annual audiometric testing for employees exposed to noise levels of 85 dBA (TWA8) or more, re-testing under some circumstances, selection of appropriate hearing protectors, employee training and education, and record maintenance.
Questions about the University's program or compliance can be referred to EH&S.
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QUESTIONS or COMMENTS?
Contact EH&S at (585) 275-3241 or e-mail EH&S Questions.
This page last updated 7/18/2025. Disclaimer.
