1910.95(i)(5): Fitting and Supervising Hearing Protector Use
Employers must ensure proper initial fitting of hearing protectors and supervise the correct use of all hearing protectors.
Key takeaways
- 1910.95(i)(5) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart G).
- OSHA cited it 10 times in the last 3 years, in 10 inspections, with $12,676 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (6), IL (1), MS (1).
- Related part: 1910.95(i) Hearing protectors (130 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.95(i)(5) is one requirement inside 1910.95 Occupational noise exposure, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart G). 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
(5) The employer shall ensure proper initial fitting and supervise the correct use of all hearing protectors. 10 citations
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.95.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 2 |
Top states: TN (6), IL (1), MS (1), OH (1), ME (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| JINDAL TUBULAR USA LLC | BAY SAINT LOUIS, MS | $12,676 |
| CANTARERO PALLETS, INC | WAUCONDA, IL | $0 |
| WIL-RO, INC. | GALLATIN, TN | $0 |
| FACILITIES PERFORMANCE GROUP, L.L.C. | MEMPHIS, TN | $0 |
| BULA FORGE & MACHINE INC. | CLEVELAND, OH | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.95(i)(5), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.95(i) Hearing protectors 130 citations
- 1910.95(i)(2) 58 citations
- 1910.95(i)(3) 46 citations
- 1910.95(i)(2)(ii) 31 citations
- 1910.95(i)(2)(i) 19 citations
- 1910.95(i)(2)(ii)(A) 18 citations
- 1910.95(i)(4) 11 citations
- 1910.95(i)(1) 5 citations
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
Who is responsible for fitting hearing protectors?
The employer must ensure proper initial fitting.
Is the employer responsible after fitting?
Yes. The employer must supervise the correct use of all hearing protectors.
Does this apply to all hearing protectors?
Yes. The rule says all hearing protectors.
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 2026-10-21
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.