During working hours, maximum limit of loudness (expressed as decibels) that workers can tolerate without substantial damage to their hearing is?

1. A

   65 db

2. B

   75 db

3. C

   85 db

4. D

   55 db

Appeared in: NORCET-5 Prelims (Shift-1)

Explanation

Listen in Hindi

• The internationally recognized action level for occupational noise exposure is 85 decibels (dBA) averaged over an 8-hour workday.
• Exposure to noise levels at or above 85 dBA for extended periods can cause permanent, irreversible noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).
• Occupational health guidelines (like those from OSHA and NIOSH) mandate hearing conservation programs when worker exposure meets or exceeds this 85 dBA threshold.

Why Other Options Were Wrong

• Option A: 65 dB is the level of normal conversation. This is a safe level and does not pose a risk for hearing damage, even for prolonged periods.
• Option B: While louder than normal conversation, 75 dB is still considered below the threshold where hearing damage is a significant risk over an 8-hour shift. It is below the action level for hearing conservation programs.
• Option D: 55 dB is a very quiet level, similar to a quiet suburban area or a soft rainfall. It is far below the level that would cause any concern for hearing damage.

Related Visual

Clinical Relevance

• Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Occupational Health and Safety Standards for Noise Exposure as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
• Occupational health nurses are central to hearing conservation programs. Their role includes conducting audiometric testing, educating workers on the proper use of hearing protection (PPE), and assessing the effectiveness of noise control measures.
• Nurses must advocate for a hierarchy of controls: first engineering controls (quieter machines), then administrative controls (job rotation), and finally PPE as the last line of defense.
• What if a worker reports ringing in their ears (tinnitus) after a shift? This is a key sign of overexposure to noise and indicates potential auditory damage. The nurse must document this, refer the worker for an audiological evaluation, and investigate if noise controls or PPE are failing.

How to Approach the Question

• First, identify the core of the question. It asks for the 'maximum limit' of 'loudness' (in 'decibels') for 'workers' to avoid 'hearing damage'.
• This is a factual recall question related to occupational health and safety standards.
• Scan the options: 55, 65, 75, 85 dB. These are all measures of sound.
• Recall or deduce the standard safety limit. Think about common noise levels: normal conversation is around 60-65 dB, so the limit must be higher than that.
• The value of 85 dB is a cornerstone of occupational health regulations for noise. Associate 'workplace noise limit' with '85 dB'.

Concept Tested & Keywords

• Concept Tested: Occupational Health and Safety Standards for Noise Exposure
• Stem keywords: maximum limit, loudness, decibels, workers, hearing damage
• Lead-in keywords: is
• Negative lead-in flag: false

Question ID

QpovuNDeX0P_H6Ssi1kkmr

Copy ID

Reference Book

E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 59-61