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Regulatory Agencies for Occupational Noise Exposure[edit]

OSHA[edit]

The current PEL for OSHA standards are based on a 5 decibel exchange rate. OSHA’s PEL for noise exposure is 90 decibels (dBA) for an 8-hour TWA. Levels of 90-140 dBA are included in the noise dose. [1]PEL can also be expressed as 100 percent “dose” for noise exposure. When the noise exposure increases by 5 dB, the exposure time is cut in half.[2] According to OSHA, a 95dBA TWA would be a 200 percent dose.[3] PEL is exceeded when TWA > 90 dBA. OSHA requires feasible engineering OR administrative controls, and mandatory hearing protection when the PEL is exceeded.

MSHA[edit]

Like OSHA, Mine Safety and Health Administration(MSHA) also uses the same 5 decibel exchange rate and 90 dBA for an 8-hour TWA for their PEL. Once a miner's noise exposure exceeds the PEL, feasible engineering AND administrative controls must be in place to try to limit the noise exposure of the employees. If a mine operator uses administrative controls, procedures for such controls must be posted on the bulletin board and a copy must be supplied to all affected employees. [4]

NIOSH[edit]

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) Recommended Exposure Limit (REL) for noise exposure uses a 3 decibel exchange rate. The recommendation for occupational noise exposure is 85 decibles (dBA) for an 8-hour TWA. For every 3dB over 85, the exposure time is cut in half. NIOSH reports exposures above this level are considered hazardous. NIOSH uses a hierarchy of control to reduce or remove hazardous noise.[5]

  1. ^ Rawool, Vishakha (19 September 2011). Hearing Conservation in Occupation, Education, and Home Settings. 333 Seventh Ave. New York, NY 10001: Thieme Publishers, Inc. p. 33. ISBN 978-1604062564.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  2. ^ "OSHA Fact Sheet" (PDF). OSHA. Retrieved 21 November 2018.
  3. ^ "Permissible Noise Exposures". OSHA. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  4. ^ "62.130 Permissible Exposure Limit". Goverment Publishing Office. Retrieved 20 November 2018.
  5. ^ "Controls for Noise Exposure". Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved 22 November 2018.