1910.95(d)(3): Repeat Noise Monitoring After Changes
Employers must repeat noise monitoring whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls increases noise exposures so that more employees may be exposed at or above the action level, or the hearing protectors in use may no longer be adequate under paragraph (j).
Key takeaways
- 1910.95(d)(3) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart G).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $25,891 in current penalties.
- Most citations: OR (2), OH (2), IL (2).
- Related part: 1910.95(d) Monitoring (304 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.95(d)(3) 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
(3) Monitoring shall be repeated whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls increases noise exposures to the extent that: 11 citations
(i) Additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level; or 4 citations
(ii) The attenuation provided by hearing protectors being used by employees may be rendered inadequate to meet the requirements of paragraph (j) of this section.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.95.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: OR (2), OH (2), IL (2), CA (1), MD (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| HBD/THERMOID, INC. | BELLEFONTAINE, OH | $12,676 |
| THE LAKEWOOD BRICK AND TILE COMPANY | LAKEWOOD, CO | $5,000 |
| ARTELYE, INC. | BELTSVILLE, MD | $3,200 |
| PLASTIC USA, LLC. | IRVINGTON, NJ | $2,500 |
| WALASHEK INDUSTRIAL & MARINE, INC | OCEANSIDE, CA | $1,165 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.95(d)(3), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.95(d)(3).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.95(d) Monitoring 304 citations
- 1910.95(d)(1) 293 citations
- 1910.95(d)(1)(ii) 1 citations
- 1910.95(d)(1)(i) 1 citations
- 1910.95(d)(2)(i)
- 1910.95(d)(2)
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey, Dana Reyes
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
When must noise monitoring be repeated?
Whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls increases noise exposure enough to trigger the rule's conditions.
What are the two conditions?
Additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level, or hearing protectors may become inadequate under paragraph (j).
Does a new machine count as a change?
Yes, if the new equipment increases noise exposures to that extent.
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.