1910.95(b): Permissible Noise Exposure
When employees are exposed to sound above the levels in Table G-16, employers must use feasible administrative or engineering controls. If those controls do not bring levels within the table, personal protective equipment must be provided and used, and impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level.
Key takeaways
- 1910.95(b) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart G).
- OSHA cited it 74 times in the last 3 years, in 74 inspections, with $265,123 in current penalties.
- 1 death is linked to inspections that cited this rule.
- Most citations: MI (19), NC (11), MN (11).
- Related part: 1910.95(b)(1) (74 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.95(b) is one requirement inside 1910.95 Occupational noise exposure, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart G). It includes 2 sub-paragraphs. The official text below is copied word for word from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR). The numbers, injury cases and training on this page show how OSHA enforces it on real job sites.
Official text
(b) 74 citations
(1) When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of Table G-16, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table. Open (b)(1) 74 citations
(2) If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, it is to be considered continuous.
| Duration per day, hours | Sound level dBA slow response |
|---|---|
| 8 | 90 |
| 6 | 92 |
| 4 | 95 |
| 3 | 97 |
| 2 | 100 |
| 11⁄2 | 102 |
| 1 | 105 |
| 1⁄2 | 110 |
| 1⁄4 or less | 115 |
| 1 When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. If the sum of the following fractions: C1/T1 + C2/T2 C n/T n exceeds unity, then, the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the limit value. Cn indicates the total time of exposure at a specified noise level, and Tn indicates the total time of exposure permitted at that level. | |
| Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level. | |
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.95.
Injuries linked to this rule
1 death is linked to inspections where OSHA cited 1910.95(b).
At 12:30 p.m. on November 21, 2023, an employee was using a forklift to load pallets onto a box truck. The employee attempted to back from the box truck to the dock, but the truck had rolled away, and the forklift fell to the ground.…
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 26 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 24 |
Top states: MI (19), NC (11), MN (11), OH (6), PA (5)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| GILTON SOLID WASTE | JOPLIN, MO | $16,131 |
| JGM, INC. | COATESVILLE, PA | $14,518 |
| GENERAL ALUMINUM MFG LLC | CONNEAUT, OH | $13,902 |
| 155391 - THE SOUTHERN FINISHING COMPANY, INCORPORATED | STONEVILLE, NC | $12,375 |
| GT STONE GRANITE LLC | CARTERSVILLE, GA | $10,215 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.95(b), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- 140 decibels (dB) impact/impulse policy under the noise standard (2025-07-30)
- OSHA Noise PEL and extended workshifts (2021-10-12)
- Application of the Occupational Noise standard to employees who are deaf or have a diminished capacity to hear. (2004-08-03)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.95(b)(1) 74 citations
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Frequently asked questions
What is the noise limit for an 8-hour day?
Table G-16 lists 90 dBA slow response for 8 hours per day.
What comes first, controls or earplugs?
Feasible administrative or engineering controls must be used first; PPE is required if they fail to reduce levels within the table.
How are mixed noise levels handled?
If the sum of C1/T1 + C2/T2 ... Cn/Tn exceeds unity, the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the limit.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1910.95 (eCFR), text current as of 2026-10-15
- U.S. Department of Labor enforcement data: OSHA inspections, citations and accident records, copied nightly; data as of 2026-10-20
3-year window. Federal OSHA only; state-plan rules are not counted. Plain-language text is a summary, not legal advice; the official text controls. Black Belt Safety is not part of OSHA or the Department of Labor.