Labor & Industries (L&I), Washington State

Hearing Loss Prevention (Noise) Chapter 296-817, WAC

Effective Date: 08/01/03

Scope WAC 296-817-100

For printing

The purpose of this chapter is to:

• Prevent employee hearing loss by minimizing employee noise exposures
  AND
• Make sure employees exposed to noise are protected.

These goals are accomplished by:

• Measuring and computing the employee noise exposure from all equipment and machinery in the workplace, as well as any other noise sources in the work area
• Protecting employees from noise exposure by using feasible noise controls
• Making sure employees use hearing protection, if you can't feasibly control the noise
• Training employees about hearing loss prevention
• Evaluating your hearing loss prevention efforts by tracking employee hearing or periodically reviewing controls and protection
• Making appropriate corrections to your program.

Reference: Table 1 will help you determine the hearing loss prevention requirements for your workplace. For the specific requirements associated with Noise Evaluation Criteria, see WAC 296-817-30010 of this chapter.

Table 1 Noise Evaluation Criteria
Criteria	Description	Requirements
85 dBA TWA8	Full-day employee noise exposure dose. If you have one or more employees whose exposure equals or exceeds this level, you must have a hearing loss prevention program	– Hearing protection – Training – Audiometric testing
90 dBA TWA8	Full-day employee noise exposure dose. If you have one or more employees whose exposure equals or exceeds this level, you must reduce employee noise exposures in the workplace	– Noise controls and – Hearing protection – Training – Audiometric testing
115 dBA measured using slow response	Extreme noise level (greater than one second in duration)	– Hearing protection – Signs posted in work areas warning of exposure
140 dBC measured using fast response	Extreme impulse or impact noise (less than one second in duration)	Hearing protection