At what sound level should ear protection be worn?

At what sound level should ear protection be worn?

• A. 85 dB
• B. 90 dB
• C. 95 dB
• D. 100 dB

Answer: (B)

Wearing ear protection is advised when noise reaches about 90 dB because sounds at this level can cause damage with sustained exposure, and PPE helps keep the actual sound reaching your ears at a safer level. Landscaping tools like mowers, chainsaws, and blowers can easily hit or exceed this level, so using earplugs or earmuffs at 90 dB or louder significantly reduces risk. The idea behind this threshold is to prompt protection during fairly common loud-work conditions; while 85 dB is the level at which a formal hearing conservation program starts in some standards, the practical cue for donning protection in everyday work is around 90 dB. Higher levels are of course still dangerous, but 90 dB is the commonly taught turning point for using ear protection.

Wearing ear protection is advised when noise reaches about 90 dB because sounds at this level can cause damage with sustained exposure, and PPE helps keep the actual sound reaching your ears at a safer level. Landscaping tools like mowers, chainsaws, and blowers can easily hit or exceed this level, so using earplugs or earmuffs at 90 dB or louder significantly reduces risk. The idea behind this threshold is to prompt protection during fairly common loud-work conditions; while 85 dB is the level at which a formal hearing conservation program starts in some standards, the practical cue for donning protection in everyday work is around 90 dB. Higher levels are of course still dangerous, but 90 dB is the commonly taught turning point for using ear protection.