OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

January 3, 1984

Mr. Mark R. Doyle
General Manager
1833 East 17th Street
Suite 103
Santa Ana, California 92701

Dear Mr. Doyle:

Thank you for your letter of December 12, 1983, in which you requested an official interpretation from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) concerning Appendix D of the OSHA Noise Standard: Audiometric Test Rooms.

OSHA approves the use of the "hold" switch on the audiometer to temporarily stop recording of the hearing test when high levels of ambient noise intermittently cause the background levels in the test room to exceed the criteria in Table D-1.

Please note that when the recording is resumed, the audiometer must remain at the respective test frequency for 30 seconds, in accordance with Appendix C: Audiometric Measuring Instruments.

I hope this information will be helpful to you. If you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Sincerely,


R. Leonard Vance, Ph.D., Director
Health Standards Programs

[Corrected 05/28/2004]