1910.95(j): Hearing protector attenuation
Key takeaways
- 1910.95(j) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart G).
- OSHA cited it 6 times in the last 3 years, in 6 inspections, with $8,839 in current penalties.
- Related part: 1910.95(j)(2) (4 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
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In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.95(j) ("Hearing protector attenuation") is one requirement inside 1910.95 Occupational noise exposure, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart G). It includes 4 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
(j) Hearing protector attenuation. 6 citations
(1) The employer shall evaluate hearing protector attenuation for the specific noise environments in which the protector will be used. The employer shall use one of the evaluation methods described in appendix B: Methods for Estimating the Adequacy of Hearing Protection Attenuation. Open (j)(1) 2 citations
(2) Hearing protectors must attenuate employee exposure at least to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 90 decibels as required by paragraph (b) of this section. Open (j)(2) 4 citations
(3) For employees who have experienced a standard threshold shift, hearing protectors must attenuate employee exposure to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or below. Open (j)(3)
(4) The adequacy of hearing protector attenuation shall be re-evaluated whenever employee noise exposures increase to the extent that the hearing protectors provided may no longer provide adequate attenuation. The employer shall provide more effective hearing protectors where necessary.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.95.
Export the list: 6 inspections cited 1910.95(j) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
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OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.95(j).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.95(j)(2) 4 citations
- 1910.95(j)(1) 2 citations
- 1910.95(j)(3)
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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 2026-11-05
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.