Electrify Your Career: OSHA Master Electrical Contractor Challenge 2026 – Shine and Shock the Test!

The maximum permissible noise exposure for levels at 97 decibels A-weighted (dBA), when measured with a slow response, is indeed set at 3 hours. This standard comes from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations on hearing conservation. The permissible noise exposure levels are determined according to the duration of exposure, with higher dBA levels permitted for shorter exposure times.

At 97 dBA, occupational safety guidelines provide strict limits because prolonged exposure at such high noise levels can lead to irreversible hearing loss. Each increase of 5 dBA typically halves the allowable exposure time; hence, being at 97 dBA translates into a much shorter, strictly regulated maximum exposure time of 3 hours to minimize the risk to workers. This regulation aims to protect employees' hearing health in noisy environments and prevent potential long-term damage caused by occupational noise exposure.