What serves as the basis for all U.S hearing conservation regulations?

The basis for all U.S. hearing conservation regulations is found in the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Amendment, particularly in the standard codified as 29 CFR 1910.95. This regulation establishes the legal requirements for protecting workers from the harmful effects of noise exposure in the workplace. It outlines criteria for noise measurement, permissible exposure limits, and the implementation of hearing conservation programs when noise levels exceed specified thresholds.

The significance of OSHA's guidelines is evident in their enforceable nature, which provides employers with clear obligations to protect their workers’ hearing. This regulation serves as a foundational framework upon which various hearing conservation practices and programs are built. While organizations like NIOSH, the EPA, and ANSI contribute to broader safety and health standards, it is OSHA's regulations that specifically address workplace hearing conservation, making them the cornerstone of U.S. regulatory requirements in this area.