According to exposure limits, at what noise level is hearing protection required for an 8-hour workday?

According to exposure limits, at what noise level is hearing protection required for an 8-hour workday?

• A. 80 Decibels
• B. 85 Decibels
• C. 90 Decibels
• D. 95 Decibels

Answer: (B)

Noise exposure is managed using an action level: when the average noise level over an 8-hour shift reaches 85 dB, protection measures must be provided and used. Reaching 85 dB means the daily dose of noise can accumulate enough to risk hearing damage, so employers are required to implement a hearing conservation program and supply hearing protection. This threshold is chosen to catch significant exposures early, before they surpass safe limits, which is why 85 dB is the point at which protection becomes necessary for an 8-hour day. The other levels are either below that threshold or represent higher exposure limits where additional controls are already in place.

Noise exposure is managed using an action level: when the average noise level over an 8-hour shift reaches 85 dB, protection measures must be provided and used. Reaching 85 dB means the daily dose of noise can accumulate enough to risk hearing damage, so employers are required to implement a hearing conservation program and supply hearing protection. This threshold is chosen to catch significant exposures early, before they surpass safe limits, which is why 85 dB is the point at which protection becomes necessary for an 8-hour day. The other levels are either below that threshold or represent higher exposure limits where additional controls are already in place.