1910.95(m): Noise and Hearing Test Recordkeeping
Employers must keep accurate records of noise exposure measurements and audiometric tests, including the employee's name and job, test date, examiner, audiometer calibration date, latest exposure assessment and test room background levels. Noise records are kept two years and audiometric records for the length of employment, available on request, and transferred to a successor employer.
Key takeaways
- 1910.95(m) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart G).
- OSHA cited it 18 times in the last 3 years, in 17 inspections, with $18,869 in current penalties.
- Most citations: PA (4), MI (2), CA (2).
- Related part: 1910.95(m)(3) Record retention (8 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
Get the free 5-minute toolbox talk on 1910.95(m) ↓
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.95(m) ("Recordkeeping") is one requirement inside 1910.95 Occupational noise exposure, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart G). It includes 15 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
(m) Recordkeeping — 18 citations
(1) Exposure measurements. The employer shall maintain an accurate record of all employee exposure measurements required by paragraph (d) of this section. 2 citations
(2) Audiometric tests. Open (m)(2) 6 citations
(i) The employer shall retain all employee audiometric test records obtained pursuant to paragraph (g) of this section: 1 citations
(ii) This record shall include: 3 citations
(A) Name and job classification of the employee; 1 citations
(B) Date of the audiogram;
(C) The examiner's name; 1 citations
(D) Date of the last acoustic or exhaustive calibration of the audiometer; and
(E) Employee's most recent noise exposure assessment. 1 citations
(F) The employer shall maintain accurate records of the measurements of the background sound pressure levels in audiometric test rooms.
(3) Record retention. The employer shall retain records required in this paragraph (m) for at least the following periods. Open (m)(3) 8 citations
(i) Noise exposure measurement records shall be retained for two years. Open (m)(3)(i) 2 citations
(ii) Audiometric test records shall be retained for the duration of the affected employee's employment. 6 citations
(4) Access to records. All records required by this section shall be provided upon request to employees, former employees, representatives designated by the individual employee, and the Assistant Secretary. The provisions of 29 CFR 1910.1020 (a)-(e) and (g)-(i) apply to access to records under this section. Open (m)(4) 2 citations
(5) Transfer of records. If the employer ceases to do business, the employer shall transfer to the successor employer all records required to be maintained by this section, and the successor employer shall retain them for the remainder of the period prescribed in paragraph (m)(3) of this section. Open (m)(5)
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.95.
Export the list: 17 inspections cited 1910.95(m) in the last 3 years, with employer, location, penalty and date.
Purple Belt, $59/moWhere and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 10 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 4 |
Top states: PA (4), MI (2), CA (2), TN (2), MD (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| IMIA, LLC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $9,650 |
| SIMMONS ANIMAL NUTRITION INC. | MILAN, MO | $9,219 |
| AZTEC MANUFACTURING CORPORATION | ROMULUS, MI | $0 |
| RINGMASTERS MANUFACTURING LLC | WAYNE, MI | $0 |
| HANOVER FOODS CORPORATION | CENTRE HALL, PA | $0 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.95(m), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
None exist. OSHA has not published a letter of interpretation for 1910.95(m).
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.95(m)(3) Record retention 8 citations
- 1910.95(m)(2) Audiometric tests 6 citations
- 1910.95(m)(3)(i) 2 citations
- 1910.95(m)(4) Access to records 2 citations
- 1910.95(m)(5) Transfer of records
Get your crew competent
Trainers on Black Belt Safety: Marc Harvey
Trainers and suppliers: feature your business on this rule for $25/month.
Frequently asked questions
How long are noise exposure records kept?
Two years.
How long are audiometric test records kept?
For the duration of the affected employee's employment.
Who can get these records?
Employees, former employees, representatives designated by the employee, and the Assistant Secretary, upon request.
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 2026-11-06
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.