85B.5 Excessive noise exposure.
1. An excessive noise exposure is sound which exceeds the times and intensities listed in the following table:
Duration Sound level, Duration Sound level,
per day dBA slow per day dBA slow
hours response minutes response
8 90 52 106
7 91 45 107
6 92 37 108
5 93 33 109
4 1/2 94 30 110
4 95 26 111
3 1/2 96 22 112
3 97 18 113
2 1/2 98 16 114
2 1/4 99 15 115
2 100 No exposure greater
1 3/4 101 than 115 permitted
1 1/2 102
1 1/4 103
1 1/8 104
1 105
2. The workers’ compensation commissioner may promulgate rules pursuant to chapter 17A to amend this table based upon changes recommended in nationally recognized consensus standards.
3. An employer shall immediately inform an employee if the employer learns that the employee is being subjected to sound levels and duration in excess of those indicated in the above table. In instances of occupational hearing loss alleged to have occurred, either in whole or in part prior to January 1, 1981, an employer shall provide upon request by an affected employee whatever evidence is available to the employer of the date, duration, and intensities of noise to which the employee was subjected in employment.
[C81, §85B.5]
98 Acts, ch 1061, §11; 98 Acts, ch 1160, §3; 2009 Acts, ch 41, §263