29 CFR 1910.95: Occupational noise exposure

Question 1

A plant uses forklift operators who move constantly between loud stamping areas and quiet warehouse zones, so sound levels vary significantly through the shift. The safety professional is deciding how to conduct noise monitoring for these workers. Which approach is consistent with the standard?

1. ASkip monitoring, because variable noise exposures cannot be measured
2. BUse area monitoring at the loudest stamping press, because it gives the worst-case value
3. CUse representative personal sampling unless the employer can show that area sampling produces equivalent results
4. DUse area sampling only, because personal sampling is not permitted for mobile workers

Question 2

A plant's maintenance technicians move between several buildings during a shift, and their noise levels vary widely from task to task. The safety manager must decide how to conduct exposure monitoring. Which approach does the standard require unless area sampling can be shown to give equivalent results?

1. AMonitoring only when employees complain of hearing difficulty
2. BArea monitoring at the plant entrance only
3. CEstimating exposures from the equipment manufacturer's sound ratings
4. DRepresentative personal sampling

Question 3

An audiologist reviews a worker's annual audiogram against the baseline. The worker's left ear shows changes of 5, 10, and 15 dB at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz, respectively. The right ear shows no change. Using the standard's definition, how should the result be classified?

1. ANo standard threshold shift, because only one ear is affected
2. BNo standard threshold shift, because the change at 2000 Hz is below 10 dB
3. CStandard threshold shift, because the average change at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz in the left ear is 10 dB
4. DStandard threshold shift only if the 6000 Hz threshold has also changed by 10 dB

Question 4

An audiologist compares a worker's annual audiogram with the baseline, with no age correction applied. Right ear, change from baseline: 2000 Hz +5 dB, 3000 Hz +10 dB, 4000 Hz +15 dB. Left ear, change from baseline: 2000 Hz 0 dB, 3000 Hz +5 dB, 4000 Hz +5 dB, with a +20 dB change at 6000 Hz. Which conclusion is correct?

1. ANo standard threshold shift has occurred because the shift must appear in both ears.
2. BNo standard threshold shift has occurred because the change at 2000 Hz in the right ear is under 10 dB.
3. CA standard threshold shift has occurred in the left ear because of the 20 dB change at 6000 Hz.
4. DA standard threshold shift has occurred in the right ear because the average change at 2000, 3000, and 4000 Hz is 10 dB.

Question 5

A hearing conservation contractor's client, a metal stamping plant, is closing its business and a different company is taking over the site and workforce. The plant's files include noise exposure measurement records from 14 months ago and audiometric test records for several employees who will continue working at the site under the new owner. The outgoing safety manager asks what must be done with these records. Which action is required?

1. ATransfer all of the records to the successor employer, who must retain them for the remainder of the retention periods that apply to each record type
2. BTransfer the records, with the successor starting a new full retention period for each record on the date of transfer
3. CGive the records to the affected employees and consider the retention obligation ended for both employer and successor
4. DTransfer only the audiometric records, and discard the noise exposure measurements because the original employer is ceasing business