Occupational Noise Exposure

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Policy Number:
UW-2130
Responsible Office:
Environmental & Occupational Health

University Policy

Rationale/​Purpose:

This policy establishes precautions and standards for the mitigation of hearing loss in the workplace.

Definitions:
A-weighting
A filter used during audiometric testing to account for the fact the human ear does not perceive low or high frequencies as well as mid-range frequencies which results in decibel units of dBA.
Audiometric Testing
A method used to assess an individual's hearing by measuring the ability to hear sounds at different frequencies and intensities.
Decibel (dB)
A unit used to measure the intensity of sound.
Employee
An individual as defined in UW-5000 Employment Categories.
Employee Health Record
For purposes of this policy, patient medical records, occupational health records, employee substance abuse records, and pre-employment records as defined by Environment & Occupational Health that are separate from personnel records.
Scope:

This policy applies to employees of the University of Wisconsin-Madison who are occupationally exposed to hazardous noise levels during performance of employee duties.

While this policy and the hearing conservation program are applicable to employees, all individuals (e.g., students, contractors, vendors, and visitors) exposed to hazardous noise levels must wear hearing protection as required.

Policy:
  1. Introduction
    1. UW-Madison follows Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Noise Exposure (29 CFR § 1910.95) requirements with a more stringent permissible exposure limit. At UW-Madison, hearing protection is mandatory at noise levels of 85 decibels (dBA) or greater.
    2. In compliance with OSHA, UW-Madison administers a hearing conservation program coordinated by Environmental and Occupational Health (EOH) that:
      1. Measures exposure to noise and notifies employees of their exposure to excessive levels of noise.
      2. Provides audiometric testing.
      3. Provides hearing protection.
      4. Provides training.
      5. Maintains records of monitoring and audiometric testing.
  2. Exposure
    1. Hearing Conservation Program Standards
      1. Any employee exposed to 85 decibels (dBA) or greater as an eight-hour time-weighted average (TWA) must participate in the hearing conservation program.
      2. The exposure is calculated using A-weighting, slow response, and a three dB exchange rate.
      3. The exposure may be continual or occasional (e.g., an employee who exceeds the permissible exposure limit one day per year must be included in the hearing conservation program).
    2. Exposure Monitoring
      1. EOH will conduct initial and periodic exposure monitoring to determine areas and tasks that pose potential noise hazards.
      2. Departments must notify EOH whenever there is a change in production, process, equipment, or controls that results in increased noise exposure so that monitoring can be performed.
    3. Audiometric Testing
      1. Audiometric testing is offered at no cost to employees.
      2. Baseline audiometric testing is to be conducted within six months of hire for positions with high noise levels.
      3. Audiometric testing is to be conducted every 12 months after the baseline test, unless the employee is no longer exposed to noise levels of 85 dBA or greater as an eight-hour TWA.
    4. Hearing Protection
      1. Employees must wear hearing protection whenever they work in areas or operate equipment that generates noise levels of 85 dBA or greater.
      2. Departments must provide employees with a variety of hearing protection that is suitable for the work environment. Employees must be able to select from options that ensure proper fit, comfort, and compatability with other required personal protective equipment, including helmets, glasses, hats, and respirators.
      3. All hearing protection worn by employees must have a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) to ensure adequate protection.
      4. Devices without an NRR, such as noise cancelling headphones, do not qualify as hearing protection and cannot be worn as hearing protection.
      5. Double hearing protection (e.g., earplugs and earmuffs) is required when an employee's eight-hour time-weighted average is 100 dBA or greater.
      6. Individual units may implement stricter requirements by mandating hearing protection for a task or an area even if the noise level might not exceed 85 dBA. The unit must clearly communicate these expectations to employees through methods such as standard operating procedures, signs, personal protective equipment hazard assessment, and/or training.
    5. Training
      1. All employees identified for the hearing conservation program must complete annual training that meets the requirements of 29 CFR § 1910.95(k).
      2. Individual units may provide additional training.
    6. Records
      1. The results of audiometric testing are maintained in the employee health record.
      2. Training records are maintained by individual units.
      3. In compliance with 29 CFR § 1904.10, the university is required to report work-related cases of hearing loss to OSHA.
  3. Consequences

    Consequences for non-compliance may include limited or no access to workplace facilities and discipline up to and including dismissal.

Related UW-Madison Policies:
Related UW–Madison Documents, Web Pages, or Other Resources:
External References:

Policy Administration

Approval Authority:
Assistant Vice Chancellor, Environment, Health & Safety
Policy Manager:
Director of Environmental and Occupational Health
Contact:
Industrial Hygiene Program Manager -- Jessica Cebula, JESSICA.CEBULA@WISC.EDU, (608) 890-3992
Date Issued:
03-27-2026
Retrieved:
03-27-2026 17:24:45