1910.95(g)(8): Follow-Up After a Hearing Threshold Shift
If an annual audiogram shows a standard threshold shift, employers must inform the employee in writing within 21 days. Unless a physician finds it is not work related, employers must fit or refit hearing protectors, train or retrain, provide greater attenuation if necessary, and refer for evaluation as appropriate. If later tests of an employee exposed below an 8-hour TWA of 90 decibels show the shift is not persistent, the employer must say so and may stop requiring protectors.
Key takeaways
- 1910.95(g)(8) is part of OSHA's general industry standards (29 CFR Part 1910, Subpart G).
- OSHA cited it 25 times in the last 3 years, in 18 inspections, with $37,509 in current penalties.
- Most citations: TN (6), NY (5), MD (3).
- Related part: 1910.95(g) Audiometric testing program (437 citations).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1910.95(g)(8) ("Follow-up procedures") is one requirement inside 1910.95 Occupational noise exposure, an OSHA general industry standard (Part 1910, Subpart G). It includes 9 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
(8) Follow-up procedures. 25 citations
(i) If a comparison of the annual audiogram to the baseline audiogram indicates a standard threshold shift as defined in paragraph (g)(10) of this section has occurred, the employee shall be informed of this fact in writing, within 21 days of the determination. Open (g)(8)(i) 10 citations
(ii) Unless a physician determines that the standard threshold shift is not work related or aggravated by occupational noise exposure, the employer shall ensure that the following steps are taken when a standard threshold shift occurs: Open (g)(8)(ii) 15 citations
(A) Employees not using hearing protectors shall be fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and care, and required to use them. 1 citations
(B) Employees already using hearing protectors shall be refitted and retrained in the use of hearing protectors and provided with hearing protectors offering greater attenuation if necessary. 8 citations
(C) The employee shall be referred for a clinical audiological evaluation or an otological examination, as appropriate, if additional testing is necessary or if the employer suspects that a medical pathology of the ear is caused or aggravated by the wearing of hearing protectors. 2 citations
(D) The employee is informed of the need for an otological examination if a medical pathology of the ear that is unrelated to the use of hearing protectors is suspected.
(iii) If subsequent audiometric testing of an employee whose exposure to noise is less than an 8-hour TWA of 90 decibels indicates that a standard threshold shift is not persistent, the employer:
(A) Shall inform the employee of the new audiometric interpretation; and
(B) May discontinue the required use of hearing protectors for that employee.
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15. Read all of 1910.95.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Top states: TN (6), NY (5), MD (3), MA (3), WI (2)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| WD FLOORING LLC | LAONA, WI | $20,000 |
| GATES ALBERT INC | NORTH CHILI, NY | $7,000 |
| QUARRYCUT INC. | PARKER FORD, PA | $3,296 |
| HUBER ENGINEERED WOODS LLC | SPRING CITY, TN | $2,100 |
| NASOYA FOODS USA, LLC | AYER, MA | $1,720 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1910.95(g)(8), plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- OSHA’s Noise Standard as it applies to medical personnel allowed to interpret audiograms (2017-12-19)
- Time period for notifying employees of a standard threshold shift (STS). (1986-06-25)
Related parts of this rule
- 1910.95(g) Audiometric testing program 437 citations
- 1910.95(g)(1) 227 citations
- 1910.95(g)(6) Annual audiogram 99 citations
- 1910.95(g)(5) Baseline audiogram 80 citations
- 1910.95(g)(5)(i) 72 citations
- 1910.95(g)(8)(ii) 15 citations
- 1910.95(g)(8)(i) 10 citations
- 1910.95(g)(7) Evaluation of audiogram 5 citations
- 1910.95(g)(7)(ii) 2 citations
- 1910.95(g)(3) 1 citations
- 1910.95(g)(7)(iii) 1 citations
- 1910.95(g)(5)(iii)
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Frequently asked questions
How fast must a worker be told about a threshold shift?
In writing, within 21 days of the determination.
What happens for a worker not wearing protectors?
They must be fitted with protectors, trained in their use and care, and required to use them.
Can required protector use ever stop?
If later testing of an employee exposed below an 8-hour TWA of 90 decibels shows the shift is not persistent, the employer may discontinue required use.
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.