Exposure to Noise on the Job: What Are the Regulations? Repeated exposure to noises above 85 decibels will end up causing a slow level of hearing loss in a large amount of individuals. Noises that exceed 85 decibels will only work to accelerate the level of having loss. OSHA has developed a standard in regards to the amount of noise employees are allowed to be exposed to on the job. When your ears are unprotected, the exposure time for which your ears are protected will decrease in half for every five decibel increase in the amount of noise. As a rule, noise volumes of 90 decibels should be limited to no more than eight hours of exposure. When the volume increases to 100 decibels, the exposure level should not exceed two hours. The highest amount of noise a person should be exposed to is 115 decibels for no more than 15 minutes in a day. Anything over 140 decibels is not advised. Due to the amount of noise in the workplace, the safety administration requires a hearing test once per year when their workers are exposed to noise levels that meet or exceed 85 decibels in a typical workday. Phone - (614) 538-4327 Website: Hearing Health Solutions Blog: Hearing Aid Dublin OH Blog : Hearing Aids Westerville OH
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It has been determined that approximately a quarter of the workforce is exposed to this type of volume on a regular basis. In an ideal workplace, machinery and workplaces would be designed to have quieter machinery and the worker would not be exposed to the noise as often as they are right now. Often times the cost to reduce the noise levels prohibits businesses from being able to make the necessary changes. One of the alternatives for workers is to wear hearing protectors whenever the worker is exposed to sound levels more than 90 decibels in a typical work day.
Phone - (614) 538-4327 Website: Hearing Health Solutions Blog: Hearing Aid Dublin OH Blog : Hearing Aids Westerville OH
Blog : Hearing Aids Columbus OH Blog : Hearing Aids Delaware OH