Meaning of an effective hearing conservation program

June 6, 1985

Rena H. Glaser, President
The National Hearing Conservation Association
[Recipient address omitted]
Dear Ms. Glaser:

This is in response to your letter of April 30 requesting an official interpretation for the term "effective hearing conservation program".

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has used this term in administrative documents prepared by the National Office to guide field offices in enforcing provisions contained in the standard for occupational noise exposure, 29 CFR 1910.95. The term means a hearing conservation program that prevents workplace noise from producing a standard threshold shift in the hearing ability of any employees. The OSHA definition of standard threshold shift is given at 29 CFR 1910.95(g)(10)(i).

Thank you for bringing your question to us. If we can assist you again, we shall be glad to do so.

Sincerely,
John B. Miles, Jr., Director
Directorate of Field Operations

[Requester letter reproduced on OSHA page; omitted here.]