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1904.10(a)
Basic
requirement. If an employee's hearing test (audiogram) reveals that a
Standard Threshold Shift (STS) has occurred, you must record the case on
the OSHA 300 Log by checking the "hearing loss" column.
1904.10(b)
Implementation.
1904.10(b)(1)
What is
a Standard Threshold Shift? A Standard Threshold Shift, or STS, is
defined in the occupational noise exposure standard at 29 CFR
1910.95(g)(10)(i) as a change in hearing threshold, relative to the most
recent audiogram for that employee, of an average of 10 decibels (dB) or
more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 hertz in one or both ears.
1904.10(b)(2)
How do
I determine whether an STS has occurred? If the employee has never
previously experienced a recordable hearing loss, you must compare the
employee's current audiogram with that employee's baseline audiogram. If
the employee has previously experienced a recordable hearing loss, you
must compare the employee's current audiogram with the employee's
revised baseline audiogram (the audiogram reflecting the employee's
previous recordable hearing loss case).
1904.10(b)(3)
May I
adjust the audiogram results to reflect the effects of aging on hearing?
Yes, when comparing audiogram results, you may adjust the results for
the employee's age when the audiogram was taken using Tables F-1 or F-2,
as appropriate, in Appendix F of 29 CFR 1910.95.
1904.10(b)(4)
Do I
have to record the hearing loss if I am going to retest the employee's
hearing? No, if you retest the employee's hearing within 30 days of the
first test, and the retest does not confirm the STS, you are not
required to record the hearing loss case on the OSHA 300 Log. If the
retest confirms the STS, you must record the hearing loss illness within
seven (7) calendar days of the retest.
1904.10(b)(5)
Are
there any special rules for determining whether a hearing loss case is
work-related? Yes, hearing loss is presumed to be work-related if the
employee is exposed to noise in the workplace at an 8-hour time-weighted
average of 85 dBA or greater, or to a total noise dose of 50 percent, as
defined in 29 CFR 1910.95. For hearing loss cases where the employee is
not exposed to this level of noise, you must use the rules in § 1904.5
to determine if the hearing loss is work-related.
1904.10(b)(6)
If a
physician or other licensed health care professional determines the
hearing loss is not work-related, do I still need to record the case? If
a physician or other licensed health care professional determines that
the hearing loss is not work-related or has not been significantly
aggravated by occupational noise exposure, you are not required to
consider the case work-related or to record the case on the OSHA 300
Log.
1904.10(c)
Recording
criteria for calendar year 2002. From January 1, 2002 until December 31,
2002, you are required to record a work-related hearing loss averaging
25dB or more at 2000, 3000, and 4000 hertz in either ear on the OSHA 300
Log. You must use the employee's original baseline audiogram for
comparison. You may make a correction for presbycusis (aging) by using
the tables in Appendix F of 29 CFR 1910.95. The requirement of §
1904.37(b)(1) that States with OSHA-approved state plans must have the
same requirements for determining which injuries and illnesses are
recordable and how they are recorded shall not preclude the states from
retaining their existing criteria with regard to this section during
calendar year 2002.
Note to
§ 1904.10: Paragraphs
(a) and (b) of this
section are effective on
January 1, 2003. Paragraph
(c) of
this section applies from January
1, 2002 until
December 31, 2002.
[66 FR
6129, Jan. 19, 2001; 66 FR 52034, Oct. 12, 2001]
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1904.10
