1926.52: Occupational Noise Exposure in Construction
Employers must protect construction workers from noise above the levels in Table D-2. They must first use feasible administrative or engineering controls, then provide hearing protection if controls do not bring levels within the table, and run a continuing, effective hearing conservation program whenever sound levels exceed the values shown.
Key takeaways
- 1926.52 is part of OSHA's construction standards (29 CFR Part 1926, Subpart D).
- OSHA cited it 11 times in the last 3 years, in 11 inspections, with $47,105 in current penalties.
- Most citations: AL (2), NC (1), NJ (1).
- Most-cited part: 1926.52(e).
- Free 5-minute toolbox talk for your crew below.
In this article
What this rule covers
29 CFR 1926.52, "Occupational noise exposure", is an OSHA construction standard (Part 1926, Subpart D). It has 10 numbered 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
Show the full text of 1926.52 (10 paragraphs)
(a) Protection against the effects of noise exposure shall be provided when the sound levels exceed those shown in Table D-2 of this section when measured on the A-scale of a standard sound level meter at slow response.
(b) When employees are subjected to sound levels exceeding those listed in Table D-2 of this section, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table, personal protective equipment as required in subpart E, shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table. 2 citations
(c) If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, it is to be considered continuous.
(d) 9 citations
(1) In all cases where the sound levels exceed the values shown herein, a continuing, effective hearing conservation program shall be administered. 9 citations
| Duration per day, hours | Sound level dBA slow response |
|---|---|
| 8 | 90 |
| 6 | 92 |
| 4 | 95 |
| 3 | 97 |
| 2 | 100 |
| 11⁄2 | 102 |
| 1 | 105 |
| 1⁄2 | 110 |
| 1⁄4 or less | 115 |
(2)
(i) When the daily noise exposure is composed of two or more periods of noise exposure of different levels, their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each. Exposure to different levels for various periods of time shall be computed according to the formula set forth in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section.
(ii) Fe = (T1/L1) + (T2/L2) + · · · + (Tn/Ln)
Where:
Fe = The equivalent noise exposure factor.
T = The period of noise exposure at any essentially constant level.
L = The duration of the permissible noise exposure at the constant level (from Table D-2).
If the value of Fe exceeds unity (1) the exposure exceeds permissible levels.
(iii) A sample computation showing an application of the formula in paragraph (d)(2)(ii) of this section is as follows. An employee is exposed at these levels for these periods:
110 db A 1⁄4 hour.
100 db A 1⁄2 hour.
90 db A 11⁄2 hours.
Fe = (1⁄4/ 1⁄2) + (1⁄2/2) + (11⁄2/8)
Fe = 0.500 + 0.25 + 0.188
Fe = 0.938
Since the value of Fe does not exceed unity, the exposure is within permissible limits.
(e) Exposure to impulsive or impact noise should not exceed 140 dB peak sound pressure level. Open (e)
Source: eCFR, text current as of 2026-10-15.
Where and how often it was cited
| Year | Citations |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 4 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Top states: AL (2), NC (1), NJ (1), KS (1), OK (1)
Largest penalties
| Employer | Location | Penalty for this rule |
|---|---|---|
| TWI RECONSTRUCTION/ TOM WHITE, INC. | REDINGTON SHORES, FL | $9,268 |
| US TANK PAINTING, INC. | BAYVILLE, NJ | $8,750 |
| M. D. THOMAS CONSTRUCTION, LLC | ORANGE BEACH, AL | $5,296 |
| 155647 - CLEAR SITE INDUSTRIAL, LLC | CONCORD, NC | $5,100 |
| PERFORMANCE PERSONNEL SERVICES OF PENSACOLA, LLC | MOBILE, AL | $4,766 |
Free toolbox talk
A 5-minute crew talk on 1926.52, plus alerts when this rule changes. Free.
OSHA interpretation letters
- 140 decibels (dB) impact/impulse policy under the noise standard (2025-07-30)
- The use of noise-canceling headphones in place of intra-aural earplugs (2023-03-06)
- Use of Music Headphones on Construction Sites (2019-09-06)
- Noise Citation Policy for Construction. (1994-05-02)
- Effective hearing conservation program elements for the Construction Industry. (1992-08-04)
- Occupational noise, including hearing conservation, in construction work. (1992-06-29)
- OSHA's regulations apply only to employer-employee relationship and not to employer activities that can affect the general public. (1992-05-18)
- Welding and Noise in confined space (1992-01-06)
- The hearing conservation amendment does not cover construction or agriculture. (1983-03-29)
- Definition of the term: "hospitalization" to send to, put in, or admit to a hospital. (1980-11-19)
Most-cited parts of this rule
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
What is the 8-hour noise limit in construction?
Table D-2 lists 90 dBA slow response for 8 hours per day.
What must be tried before hearing protection?
Feasible administrative or engineering controls.
How are different noise levels combined?
Using the formula Fe = (T1/L1) + (T2/L2) + ... ; if Fe exceeds 1, the exposure exceeds permissible levels.
About this page
Sources
- 29 CFR 1926.52 (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 2026-10-19
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.