Noise Monitoring

Employers must use a noise sampling strategy that determines which employees need to be part of a hearing conservation program. This sampling will also determine their need for hearing protection or when to consider engineering controls.
(a) Use a sound level meter or a dosimeter to do noise level surveys over an 8-hour period to get a time-weighted average. When the employees are mobile or there are significant changes in the sound level or impulse noise components, you must use representative personal sampling unless area samples produce equal results.
(b) Repeat the noise surveys when there is a change in production, process, equipment or controls that increases noise levels or exposures to or above the action level. Also repeat the surveys if the increase in noise may require additional noise reduction from hearing protectors already in use.
(c) Notify each monitored employee of the noise monitoring results if the exposure was at or above the 85 decibel TWA.
(d) The employer must give affected employees or their representatives the opportunity to observe the noise survey process.

WARNING: Employer responsibilities in this standard require special knowledge and equipment to be done successfully. In most cases it is advisable and in some cases mandatory to have these tests done by a professional.