OSHA recommends that workers not be exposed to more than ______ decibels of noise over an eight hour workday.

OSHA recommends that workers not be exposed to more than ______ decibels of noise over an eight hour workday.

• A. 150
• B. 110
• C. 85
• D. 60

Answer: (C)

Noise exposure is managed using an eight-hour time-weighted average, and OSHA sets a specific threshold where protection and a hearing conservation program are required. That threshold is 85 decibels. When the average noise level over an eight-hour shift reaches 85 dB, employers must implement measures to protect hearing, such as training, audiometric testing, access to hearing protection, and engineering or administrative controls to lower exposure. The risk of hearing damage increases as both the noise level rises and the exposure duration lengthens, so 85 dB is the point at which proactive protection becomes necessary. Higher numbers would indicate exposure well above the required action level, while a much lower number would imply protective actions aren’t needed even though they’re not appropriate for typical workplace noise standards.

Noise exposure is managed using an eight-hour time-weighted average, and OSHA sets a specific threshold where protection and a hearing conservation program are required. That threshold is 85 decibels. When the average noise level over an eight-hour shift reaches 85 dB, employers must implement measures to protect hearing, such as training, audiometric testing, access to hearing protection, and engineering or administrative controls to lower exposure. The risk of hearing damage increases as both the noise level rises and the exposure duration lengthens, so 85 dB is the point at which proactive protection becomes necessary. Higher numbers would indicate exposure well above the required action level, while a much lower number would imply protective actions aren’t needed even though they’re not appropriate for typical workplace noise standards.