State and local requirements must do what in relation to federally mandated HC requirements?

State and local requirements must meet or exceed federally mandated hearing conservation requirements to ensure a high standard of protection for employees' hearing health. This means that while federal guidelines provide a baseline for hearing conservation programs, state or local regulations can impose stricter requirements to reflect specific needs in particular regions or industries.

For example, a state might have more stringent training or evaluation processes than what is federally mandated, which can enhance the protection for workers at risk of hearing loss in high-noise environments. By ensuring that state and local regulations match or surpass federal requirements, there is a greater chance of effectively preventing occupational hearing loss. This approach emphasizes the importance of tailoring regulations to suit local conditions and enhancing measures based on the most current scientific and medical knowledge available.