OSHA general industry occupational noise exposure practice questions
20 free practice questions from 29 CFR 1910.95. Each answer is explained and linked to the rule it comes from.
OSHA Occupational noise exposure
20 questions across 8 topics. After each answer you see why it is right, with a link to the official source.
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Prefer to read? Here is every question in the OSHA Occupational noise exposure set, grouped by topic. Open a question to see the answer, why it is right and the official source.
Permissible exposures and controls
1. Under 1910.95(b)(2), when are variations in noise level to be considered continuous?
- A. When they involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less
- B. When they involve maxima at intervals of 10 seconds or more
- C. When the level never drops below 85 dBA
- D. Only when they are measured with a dosimeter
Show answer
Answer: A. When they involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less
"If the variations in noise level involve maxima at intervals of 1 second or less, it is to be considered continuous."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
2. A day's noise exposure is made up of periods at different levels. Under the footnote to Table G-16, when should the mixed exposure be considered to exceed the limit value?
- A. When any single period exceeds 85 dBA
- B. When the plain average of the levels exceeds 90 dBA
- C. When the sum of the fractions C1/T1 + C2/T2 ... Cn/Tn exceeds unity
- D. When there are more than three separate periods
Show answer
Answer: C. When the sum of the fractions C1/T1 + C2/T2 ... Cn/Tn exceeds unity
When exposure has two or more periods of different levels, "their combined effect should be considered, rather than the individual effect of each." If the sum of the fractions exceeds unity, "the mixed exposure should be considered to exceed the limit value."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
3. Employees are subjected to sound exceeding Table G-16, and feasible administrative or engineering controls fail to reduce sound levels within the table's levels. What does 1910.95(b)(1) then require?
- A. Nothing more, because the employer has tried controls
- B. Personal protective equipment provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table
- C. A variance from OSHA before work continues
- D. Moving the noisy machine outdoors
Show answer
Answer: B. Personal protective equipment provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table
"When employees are subjected to sound exceeding those listed in Table G-16, feasible administrative or engineering controls shall be utilized. If such controls fail to reduce sound levels within the levels of Table G-16, personal protective equipment shall be provided and used to reduce sound levels within the levels of the table."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Hearing conservation program
4. What opportunity does 1910.95(f) require the employer to give affected employees or their representatives?
- A. To choose the monitoring contractor
- B. To set the action level for their own department
- C. To skip audiometric testing
- D. To observe any noise measurements conducted under the section
Show answer
Answer: D. To observe any noise measurements conducted under the section
"The employer shall provide affected employees or their representatives with an opportunity to observe any noise measurements conducted pursuant to this section."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
5. When employee noise exposures are computed for the hearing conservation program, how is the attenuation of hearing protectors treated?
- A. The full NRR is subtracted from the measured level
- B. It is not counted: exposures are computed without regard to it
- C. Half of the NRR is subtracted from the measured level
- D. 7 dB is subtracted from the measured level
Show answer
Answer: B. It is not counted: exposures are computed without regard to it
For the hearing conservation program, exposures are computed under Appendix A and Table G-16a "without regard to any attenuation provided by the use of personal protective equipment."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
6. Paragraphs (c) through (n) of 1910.95 do not apply to employers engaged in which operations?
- A. Oil and gas well drilling and servicing operations
- B. Food processing operations
- C. Printing operations
- D. Sawmill operations
Show answer
Answer: A. Oil and gas well drilling and servicing operations
Paragraphs (c) through (n) "shall not apply to employers engaged in oil and gas well drilling and servicing operations."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Noise monitoring
7. A new machine raises noise so that additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level. What does 1910.95(d)(3) require?
- A. Nothing until the next annual audiogram
- B. Only a warning sign at the machine
- C. Only a written notice to OSHA
- D. Monitoring shall be repeated
Show answer
Answer: D. Monitoring shall be repeated
"Monitoring shall be repeated whenever a change in production, process, equipment or controls increases noise exposures to the extent that" additional employees may be exposed at or above the action level, or hearing protector attenuation may become inadequate.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
8. High worker mobility makes area monitoring generally inappropriate at a plant. What must the employer use for monitoring, unless it can show area sampling produces equivalent results?
- A. A single area reading taken once a year
- B. Readings taken only at the loudest machine
- C. Representative personal sampling
- D. Employee answers to a noise questionnaire
Show answer
Answer: C. Representative personal sampling
Where high worker mobility, significant variations in sound level, or a significant component of impulse noise make area monitoring generally inappropriate, the employer "shall use representative personal sampling" unless it can show that area sampling produces equivalent results.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Appendices
9. Which appendix to 1910.95 is labeled non-mandatory?
- A. Appendix A, Noise Exposure Computation
- B. Appendix B, Methods for Estimating the Adequacy of Hearing Protector Attenuation
- C. Appendix F, Calculations and Application of Age Corrections to Audiograms
- D. Appendix D, Audiometric Test Rooms
Show answer
Answer: C. Appendix F, Calculations and Application of Age Corrections to Audiograms
Appendix F's heading says "This appendix Is Non-Mandatory". Paragraph (n)(1) states that Appendices A, B, C, D and E "are mandatory."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Appendix F (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Audiometric testing
10. Under 1910.95(g)(3), which technician does not need to be certified to perform audiometric tests?
- A. A technician who operates microprocessor audiometers
- B. A technician who tests fewer than 50 employees a year
- C. Any technician supervised by the plant manager
- D. A technician who works only on the night shift
Show answer
Answer: A. A technician who operates microprocessor audiometers
"A technician who operates microprocessor audiometers does not need to be certified." A technician who performs audiometric tests must still be responsible to an audiologist, otolaryngologist or physician.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
11. A baseline audiogram is normally preceded by at least 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise. What does 1910.95(g)(5)(iii) allow as a substitute for that requirement?
- A. A signed statement from the employee
- B. The use of hearing protectors
- C. Testing the employee in a quieter part of the plant
- D. Raising the audiometer's output level
Show answer
Answer: B. The use of hearing protectors
"Hearing protectors may be used as a substitute for the requirement that baseline audiograms be preceded by 14 hours without exposure to workplace noise."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
12. An employee's annual audiogram shows a standard threshold shift. What does 1910.95(g)(7)(ii) allow the employer to do?
- A. Discard the annual audiogram and wait a year
- B. Replace the baseline audiogram with it, with no professional review
- C. Postpone any retest until the next annual audiogram
- D. Obtain a retest within 30 days and consider the results of the retest as the annual audiogram
Show answer
Answer: D. Obtain a retest within 30 days and consider the results of the retest as the annual audiogram
"If the annual audiogram shows that an employee has suffered a standard threshold shift, the employer may obtain a retest within 30 days and consider the results of the retest as the annual audiogram."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
13. What does 1910.95(g)(2) say about what the audiometric testing program costs employees?
- A. It is provided at no cost to employees
- B. Employees pay half of each test
- C. Employees pay for annual audiograms only
- D. Employees pay for the baseline audiogram only
Show answer
Answer: A. It is provided at no cost to employees
"The program shall be provided at no cost to employees."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Standard threshold shift and follow-up
14. In determining whether a standard threshold shift has occurred, what allowance does 1910.95(g)(10)(ii) permit?
- A. Subtracting the hearing protector's noise reduction rating
- B. Ignoring any ear the employee says was exposed to loud music
- C. Averaging the result with a coworker's audiogram
- D. Allowance for the contribution of aging (presbycusis), by correcting the annual audiogram according to Appendix F
Show answer
Answer: D. Allowance for the contribution of aging (presbycusis), by correcting the annual audiogram according to Appendix F
"allowance may be made for the contribution of aging (presbycusis) to the change in hearing level by correcting the annual audiogram according to the procedure described in appendix F".
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
15. Later testing of an employee exposed to less than an 8-hour TWA of 90 decibels shows that a standard threshold shift is not persistent. What does 1910.95(g)(8)(iii) allow?
- A. Disregarding the shift without telling the employee
- B. Discontinuing the required use of hearing protectors for that employee, after informing the employee of the new interpretation
- C. Deleting the employee's earlier audiometric records
- D. Removing the employee from the training program
Show answer
Answer: B. Discontinuing the required use of hearing protectors for that employee, after informing the employee of the new interpretation
In that case the employer "Shall inform the employee of the new audiometric interpretation" and "May discontinue the required use of hearing protectors for that employee."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
16. An employee who does not use hearing protectors has a standard threshold shift, and no physician has found it is not work related. What must the employer ensure?
- A. The employee is moved out of the noisy job permanently
- B. The employee receives a written warning
- C. The employee is fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and care, and required to use them
- D. The employee is retested every month until hearing returns
Show answer
Answer: C. The employee is fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and care, and required to use them
Unless a physician determines the shift is not work related or aggravated by occupational noise, "Employees not using hearing protectors shall be fitted with hearing protectors, trained in their use and care, and required to use them."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Hearing protectors
17. An employee exposed to an 8-hour TWA of 87 decibels has experienced a standard threshold shift. What does 1910.95(i)(2) require?
- A. Hearing protectors are optional for this employee
- B. Hearing protectors are required only above an 8-hour TWA of 90 decibels
- C. Hearing protectors are required only if the employee asks for them
- D. The employer must ensure hearing protectors are worn
Show answer
Answer: D. The employer must ensure hearing protectors are worn
Employers must ensure hearing protectors are worn by any employee "exposed to an 8-hour time-weighted average of 85 decibels or greater" who has experienced a standard threshold shift.
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
18. How does 1910.95(i)(3) involve employees in choosing hearing protectors?
- A. They are given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer
- B. They must buy their own hearing protectors
- C. The employer picks one model, and employees have no choice
- D. The union selects protectors for all employees
Show answer
Answer: A. They are given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer
"Employees shall be given the opportunity to select their hearing protectors from a variety of suitable hearing protectors provided by the employer."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
Training, information and records
19. What does 1910.95(l)(1) require the employer to do with copies of the noise standard?
- A. Keep them only in the safety office
- B. Give them only to supervisors
- C. Make them available to affected employees or their representatives, and post a copy in the workplace
- D. Send them only to OSHA
Show answer
Answer: C. Make them available to affected employees or their representatives, and post a copy in the workplace
"The employer shall make available to affected employees or their representatives copies of this standard and shall also post a copy in the workplace."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)
20. An employer ceases to do business. What does 1910.95(m)(5) require for the records kept under the noise standard?
- A. Destroy them right away
- B. Transfer them to the successor employer, who keeps them for the rest of the required period
- C. Keep only the most recent year's records
- D. Give each record to the employee's supervisor
Show answer
Answer: B. Transfer them to the successor employer, who keeps them for the rest of the required period
"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."
Source: eCFR: 29 CFR 1910.95, Occupational noise exposure (as of Nov 3, 2026)