1926.101 Hearing Protection

29 CFR 1926.101 · Read the standard on eCFR · Citations issued April 5, 1973 to September 12, 2025 · Data through November 6, 2026

Title checked against CFR editions from 1997 on.

Citations

856

citation items issued

Inspections

836

each counted once

Initial penalties

$265,030

as first assessed

Current penalties

$175,552

66.2% of initial

Penalties and violation types

$0median current penalty per citation

$0median initial penalty per citation

51.9%of citations with an initial penalty were later reduced

10.2%of citations were contested

OSHA violation type	Citations	Share	Median current	Contested	Initial total	Current total
Other (O)	469	54.8%	$0	7.2%	$44,492	$27,093
Serious (S)	378	44.2%	$113	12.7%	$200,173	$141,124
Repeat (R)	7	0.8%	$150	57.1%	$3,365	$2,035
Unclassified (U)	1	0.1%	$5,300	100.0%	$7,000	$5,300
Willful (W)	1	0.1%	$0	0.0%	$10,000	$0

CitationsPenaltiesContested

Same order as the full table. Bars compare the rows shown. Tap a type for all figures.

Other (O)46954.8% share$27,093current total7.2%contested

Citations: 469
Share: 54.8%
Current total: $27,093
Initial total: $44,492
Median current: $0
Contested: 7.2%

Serious (S)37844.2% share$141,124current total12.7%contested

Citations: 378
Share: 44.2%
Current total: $141,124
Initial total: $200,173
Median current: $113
Contested: 12.7%

Repeat (R)70.8% share$2,035current total57.1%contested

Citations: 7
Share: 0.8%
Current total: $2,035
Initial total: $3,365
Median current: $150
Contested: 57.1%

Unclassified (U)10.1% share$5,300current total100.0%contested

Citations: 1
Share: 0.1%
Current total: $5,300
Initial total: $7,000
Median current: $5,300
Contested: 100.0%

Willful (W)10.1% share$0current total0.0%contested

Citations: 1
Share: 0.1%
Current total: $0
Initial total: $10,000
Median current: $0
Contested: 0.0%

Citations by year issued

Counts use the recorded citation issue year. "Of all citations" is the share of every citation issued that year.

Issued	Citations	Of all citations	Inspections	Median current	Current total
2025	2	0.00%	2	$0	$0
2021	3	0.00%	3	$167	$11,753
2019	3	0.00%	3	$1,406	$4,248
2018	6	0.00%	6	$1,109	$9,486
2017	3	0.00%	3	$0	$11,500
2016	8	0.00%	8	$1,400	$12,491
2015	10	0.01%	10	$0	$4,030
2014	4	0.00%	4	$890	$4,180
2013	11	0.01%	11	$325	$4,529
2012	11	0.01%	11	$500	$7,500

CitationsInspectionsPenalties

Newest first, as in the full table. Bars compare the rows shown. Tap a year for all figures.

202520.00% of all citations2inspections$0current total

Citations: 2
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 2
Current total: $0
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2025

202130.00% of all citations3inspections$11,753current total

Citations: 3
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 3
Current total: $11,753
Median current: $167

All records issued in 2021

201930.00% of all citations3inspections$4,248current total

Citations: 3
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 3
Current total: $4,248
Median current: $1,406

All records issued in 2019

201860.00% of all citations6inspections$9,486current total

Citations: 6
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 6
Current total: $9,486
Median current: $1,109

All records issued in 2018

201730.00% of all citations3inspections$11,500current total

Citations: 3
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 3
Current total: $11,500
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2017

201680.00% of all citations8inspections$12,491current total

Citations: 8
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 8
Current total: $12,491
Median current: $1,400

All records issued in 2016

2015100.01% of all citations10inspections$4,030current total

Citations: 10
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 10
Current total: $4,030
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2015

201440.00% of all citations4inspections$4,180current total

Citations: 4
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 4
Current total: $4,180
Median current: $890

All records issued in 2014

2013110.01% of all citations11inspections$4,529current total

Citations: 11
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 11
Current total: $4,529
Median current: $325

All records issued in 2013

2012110.01% of all citations11inspections$7,500current total

Citations: 11
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 11
Current total: $7,500
Median current: $500

All records issued in 2012

Show earlier years

Issued	Citations	Of all citations	Inspections	Median current	Current total
2011	8	0.00%	8	$188	$5,075
2010	15	0.01%	14	$0	$6,243
2009	10	0.00%	9	$0	$1,518
2008	11	0.00%	11	$0	$3,119
2007	12	0.00%	12	$0	$1,632
2006	23	0.01%	20	$0	$4,605
2005	22	0.01%	22	$75	$3,279
2004	17	0.01%	17	$135	$7,207
2003	7	0.00%	7	$0	$413
2002	15	0.01%	15	$0	$4,570
2001	22	0.01%	22	$0	$2,729
2000	10	0.00%	9	$0	$2,937
1999	19	0.01%	18	$0	$1,574
1998	23	0.01%	21	$210	$11,122
1997	22	0.01%	22	$0	$1,870
1996	14	0.01%	14	$0	$3,205
1995	17	0.01%	16	$0	$1,365
1994	23	0.01%	23	$60	$3,267
1993	34	0.01%	34	$0	$4,796
1992	28	0.01%	28	$0	$10,670
1991	32	0.01%	32	$0	$3,086
1990	37	0.01%	37	$0	$6,980
1989	30	0.01%	28	$0	$2,080
1988	33	0.01%	33	$0	$1,810
1987	26	0.01%	26	$0	$116
1986	40	0.01%	39	$0	$1,563
1985	43	0.02%	42	$0	$2,923
1984	33	0.01%	32	$0	$1,113
1983	27	0.01%	27	$0	$1,304
1982	14	0.01%	13	$0	$394
1981	6	0.00%	6	$0	$250
1980	7	0.00%	7	$0	$150
1979	3	0.00%	3	$0	$0
1978	9	0.01%	9	$0	$340
1977	13	0.01%	12	$0	$730
1976	28	0.01%	27	$13	$570
1975	24	0.01%	23	$0	$405
1974	23	0.01%	22	$30	$545
1973	15	0.01%	15	$0	$280

CitationsInspectionsPenalties

Newest first, as in the full table. Bars compare the rows shown. Tap a year for all figures.

201180.00% of all citations8inspections$5,075current total

Citations: 8
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 8
Current total: $5,075
Median current: $188

All records issued in 2011

2010150.01% of all citations14inspections$6,243current total

Citations: 15
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 14
Current total: $6,243
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2010

2009100.00% of all citations9inspections$1,518current total

Citations: 10
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 9
Current total: $1,518
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2009

2008110.00% of all citations11inspections$3,119current total

Citations: 11
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 11
Current total: $3,119
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2008

2007120.00% of all citations12inspections$1,632current total

Citations: 12
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 12
Current total: $1,632
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2007

2006230.01% of all citations20inspections$4,605current total

Citations: 23
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 20
Current total: $4,605
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2006

2005220.01% of all citations22inspections$3,279current total

Citations: 22
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 22
Current total: $3,279
Median current: $75

All records issued in 2005

2004170.01% of all citations17inspections$7,207current total

Citations: 17
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 17
Current total: $7,207
Median current: $135

All records issued in 2004

200370.00% of all citations7inspections$413current total

Citations: 7
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 7
Current total: $413
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2003

2002150.01% of all citations15inspections$4,570current total

Citations: 15
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 15
Current total: $4,570
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2002

2001220.01% of all citations22inspections$2,729current total

Citations: 22
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 22
Current total: $2,729
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2001

2000100.00% of all citations9inspections$2,937current total

Citations: 10
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 9
Current total: $2,937
Median current: $0

All records issued in 2000

1999190.01% of all citations18inspections$1,574current total

Citations: 19
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 18
Current total: $1,574
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1999

1998230.01% of all citations21inspections$11,122current total

Citations: 23
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 21
Current total: $11,122
Median current: $210

All records issued in 1998

1997220.01% of all citations22inspections$1,870current total

Citations: 22
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 22
Current total: $1,870
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1997

1996140.01% of all citations14inspections$3,205current total

Citations: 14
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 14
Current total: $3,205
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1996

1995170.01% of all citations16inspections$1,365current total

Citations: 17
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 16
Current total: $1,365
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1995

1994230.01% of all citations23inspections$3,267current total

Citations: 23
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 23
Current total: $3,267
Median current: $60

All records issued in 1994

1993340.01% of all citations34inspections$4,796current total

Citations: 34
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 34
Current total: $4,796
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1993

1992280.01% of all citations28inspections$10,670current total

Citations: 28
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 28
Current total: $10,670
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1992

1991320.01% of all citations32inspections$3,086current total

Citations: 32
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 32
Current total: $3,086
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1991

1990370.01% of all citations37inspections$6,980current total

Citations: 37
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 37
Current total: $6,980
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1990

1989300.01% of all citations28inspections$2,080current total

Citations: 30
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 28
Current total: $2,080
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1989

1988330.01% of all citations33inspections$1,810current total

Citations: 33
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 33
Current total: $1,810
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1988

1987260.01% of all citations26inspections$116current total

Citations: 26
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 26
Current total: $116
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1987

1986400.01% of all citations39inspections$1,563current total

Citations: 40
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 39
Current total: $1,563
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1986

1985430.02% of all citations42inspections$2,923current total

Citations: 43
Of all citations: 0.02%
Inspections: 42
Current total: $2,923
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1985

1984330.01% of all citations32inspections$1,113current total

Citations: 33
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 32
Current total: $1,113
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1984

1983270.01% of all citations27inspections$1,304current total

Citations: 27
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 27
Current total: $1,304
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1983

1982140.01% of all citations13inspections$394current total

Citations: 14
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 13
Current total: $394
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1982

198160.00% of all citations6inspections$250current total

Citations: 6
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 6
Current total: $250
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1981

198070.00% of all citations7inspections$150current total

Citations: 7
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 7
Current total: $150
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1980

197930.00% of all citations3inspections$0current total

Citations: 3
Of all citations: 0.00%
Inspections: 3
Current total: $0
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1979

197890.01% of all citations9inspections$340current total

Citations: 9
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 9
Current total: $340
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1978

1977130.01% of all citations12inspections$730current total

Citations: 13
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 12
Current total: $730
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1977

1976280.01% of all citations27inspections$570current total

Citations: 28
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 27
Current total: $570
Median current: $13

All records issued in 1976

1975240.01% of all citations23inspections$405current total

Citations: 24
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 23
Current total: $405
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1975

1974230.01% of all citations22inspections$545current total

Citations: 23
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 22
Current total: $545
Median current: $30

All records issued in 1974

1973150.01% of all citations15inspections$280current total

Citations: 15
Of all citations: 0.01%
Inspections: 15
Current total: $280
Median current: $0

All records issued in 1973

How the inspections started

DOL inspection type of each inspection citing 1926.101, each inspection counted once.

Planned (H)47757.1%

Referral (C)12314.7%

Complaint (B)11013.2%

Unprogrammed Related (G)647.7%

Programmed Related (I)536.3%

Accident (A)30.4%

Programmed Other (K)30.4%

Follow-Up (F)20.2%

Fatality/Catastrophe (M)10.1%

Cited alongside 1926.101

Standards cited in the same inspections, as a share of the 836 inspections citing 1926.101.

1926.10226631.8%

1926.52 Occupational Noise Exposure (Construction)14217.0%

1910.13410512.6%

1926.28 Personal Protective Equipment9511.4%

1926.219110.9%

1926.1008910.6%

1926.152738.7%

1926.500708.4%

1926.59 Hazard Communication657.8%

1926.302 Power-Operated Hand Tools657.8%

Employers inspected

Employees at the establishment

1-1047456.7%

11-4926932.2%

50-249718.5%

250-999161.9%

1000+60.7%

Inspections, each counted once. Shares are of inspections with a usable employee count.

Owner

Private (A)65878.7%

Not recorded16920.2%

Local government (B)60.7%

State government (C)30.4%

DOL owner type of each inspection, each counted once.

By industry

22.0% of these citations (188 of 856) come from inspections with an industry code. Coverage varies by decade of issue (see the table), so this view mostly reflects the decades with coded records. NAICS as recorded by DOL on the inspection record.

Industry (NAICS as recorded by DOL, 3 digits)	Citations	Of coded citations
238 Specialty Trade Contractors	115	61.2%
237 Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction	33	17.6%
236 Construction of Buildings	29	15.4%
561 Administrative and Support Services	4	2.1%
212 Mining (except Oil and Gas)	1	0.5%
213 Support Activities for Mining	1	0.5%
324 Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing	1	0.5%
424 Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods	1	0.5%
541 Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	1	0.5%
562 Waste Management and Remediation Services	1	0.5%

238Specialty Trade Contractors11561.2% of coded citations

237Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction3317.6% of coded citations

236Construction of Buildings2915.4% of coded citations

561Administrative and Support Services42.1% of coded citations

212Mining (except Oil and Gas)10.5% of coded citations

213Support Activities for Mining10.5% of coded citations

324Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing10.5% of coded citations

424Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods10.5% of coded citations

541Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services10.5% of coded citations

562Waste Management and Remediation Services10.5% of coded citations

Issued in	Citations	With NAICS	Coverage
1970s	115	0	0.0%
1980s	259	0	0.0%
1990s	249	0	0.0%
2000s	149	104	69.8%
2010s	79	79	100.0%
2020s	5	5	100.0%

Bar: NAICS coverage, on a 0 to 100% scale.

1970s1150 with NAICS (0.0%)

1980s2590 with NAICS (0.0%)

1990s2490 with NAICS (0.0%)

2000s149104 with NAICS (69.8%)

2010s7979 with NAICS (100.0%)

2020s55 with NAICS (100.0%)

Most cited paragraphs

OSHA citation code, as recorded	Citations	Current penalties
19260101 A	748	$146,221
19260101 B	93	$25,031
19260101 C	12	$4,170
19260101	2	$130
19260101 A01	1	$0

19260101 A748$146,221 current penalties

19260101 B93$25,031 current penalties

19260101 C12$4,170 current penalties

192601012$130 current penalties

19260101 A011$0 current penalties

Codes are shown exactly as OSHA records them. Counts reflect citation records, not the frequency of incidents or hazards.

About this data

Citations are citation items in DOL's OSHA enforcement data, federal and State Plan, deleted items excluded. Inspections are counted once each.
Initial penalties are the amounts first assessed (DOL "Initial Penalty"); current penalties include later changes such as settlements (DOL "Current Penalty"). Amounts are as recorded, not adjusted for inflation.
Median penalty per citation: the middle value of the amounts recorded on these citations, counting $0 amounts and leaving out citations with no amount recorded, shown in whole dollars. A median is computed for one group only and is never combined with another.
Later reduced: the share of citations with an initial penalty above $0 whose current penalty is lower than the initial penalty.
Contested: the share of citations with a DOL "Contested Date" recorded.
Violation, inspection and owner types use DOL's own labels. A value outside DOL's list is shown as recorded, marked "not in DOL's list". Paragraph codes are shown exactly as OSHA records them.
Industry is the NAICS code on the inspection record, as recorded by DOL. Employee counts are DOL "Number of Employees" on the inspection; counts of 99,999 or more are not published as a headcount, a rule of this site.
Having OSHA inspection records is common for businesses in regulated industries.

Regulatory Reference

29 CFR 1926.101: Hearing Protection

Read the full regulatory text on eCFR.gov

Official Resources

Full Standard Text

29 CFR 1926.101 on OSHA.gov

osha.gov

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations

Part 1926 full regulatory text

ecfr.gov

Data Source and Methodology

DOL source data

Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA enforcement database, accessed via the DOL public data API. Errors in data processing or establishment grouping are possible. Penalty amounts are the latest on record and may differ from the initial assessment or the final amount after informal conference, settlement or judicial review. Company pages group records by employer name, city and state as OSHA reported them, not by legal entity (methodology). Found an error? Report it. This product uses the DOL Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the DOL. For official and authoritative records, visit osha.gov.

SafetyRecord also offers this data as an API and bulk files, with inspections grouped by establishment and a record of how citations change after OSHA publishes them: Data & API.