How long can an employee be exposed to noise levels of 97 dB according to health and safety guidelines?

Health and safety guidelines regarding noise exposure are typically based on the concept of permissible exposure limits, which vary depending on the intensity of the noise. For an employee exposed to a noise level of 97 dB, the accepted exposure duration is significantly lower than that for lower decibel levels.

At 97 dB, health organizations often recommend limiting exposure to around 3 hours to prevent hearing damage. This is because the risk of hearing loss increases with both the loudness of the noise and the duration of exposure. Higher intensity sounds can cause damage to hearing in a shorter time frame, which is why guidelines are stricter for higher decibel levels.

In contrast, options indicating longer exposure durations, such as 5 hours or 8 hours, do not align with these guidelines, as they would exceed safe exposure times for such noise levels. The choice of 2 hours also does not match the generally accepted recommendations for 97 dB, which allows for a slightly longer exposure time within safe limits. Thus, the selection of 3 hours as the appropriate exposure duration for 97 dB reflects an understanding of the relationship between sound intensity and permissible exposure limits.