Noise exposure monitoring is the first operational component of a hearing conservation program, and it determines every downstream decision: who gets tested, which HPDs must be provided, and how the Hearing Conservation Program is sized. The trigger for monitoring is explicit: whenever information indicates that any employee's noise exposure may equal or exceed 85 dBA TWA, the employer must institute a monitoring program (29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1)).
Noise exposure monitoring is the first operational component of a hearing conservation program, and it determines every downstream decision: who gets tested, which HPDs must be provided, and how the Hearing Conservation Program is sized. The trigger for monitoring is explicit: whenever information indicates that any employee’s noise exposure may equal or exceed 85 dBA TWA, the employer must institute a monitoring program (29 CFR 1910.95(d)(1)). The sampling strategy must identify all employees whose exposures may be at or above the action level and must use instruments calibrated for accuracy. All continuous, intermittent, and impulsive sound levels from 80 dB to 130 dB must be integrated into the measurement (29 CFR 1910.95(d)(2)(i)). Monitoring must be repeated whenever a change in production, process, equipment, or controls may increase noise exposure (29 CFR 1910.95(d)(3)). Results must be made available to affected employees. SHOEBOX: SHOEBOX PureTest does not perform noise exposure monitoring — that function requires dedicated dosimetry or sound level measurement equipment. However, PureTest’s ambient noise room scan documents the test environment’s noise floor at the time of audiometric testing, which is a separate OSHA requirement.
