Which statement correctly describes Potential Hazardous Noise criteria?

Which statement correctly describes Potential Hazardous Noise criteria?

• A. It includes only steady-state noise above 85 dBA
• B. It can be either steady-state noise above 85 dBA 8-hour TWA or impulse noise above 140 dB peak SPL
• C. It includes only impulse noise above 140 dB peak SPL
• D. It refers to noise above 120 dBA in all cases

Answer: (B)

Potential Hazardous Noise refers to exposure levels that could lead to hearing loss and thus require protective action. It recognizes two ways noise can be hazardous: long-duration, steady noise and short, impulsive noise. For steady noise, the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) above 85 dBA means the continuous noise level over a workday is high enough to pose a risk. For impulsive noise, peak sound pressure exceeding 140 dB SPL indicates a single or brief burst of energy intense enough to damage hearing, even if the overall daily average is not high. Because either condition meeting the criteria flags a potential hazard, the statement that it can be either steady-state noise above 85 dBA 8-hour TWA or impulse noise above 140 dB peak SPL correctly describes Potential Hazardous Noise criteria. The other options are incomplete because they omit one of the two pathways or cite an incorrect threshold such as 120 dBA.

Potential Hazardous Noise refers to exposure levels that could lead to hearing loss and thus require protective action. It recognizes two ways noise can be hazardous: long-duration, steady noise and short, impulsive noise. For steady noise, the 8-hour time-weighted average (TWA) above 85 dBA means the continuous noise level over a workday is high enough to pose a risk. For impulsive noise, peak sound pressure exceeding 140 dB SPL indicates a single or brief burst of energy intense enough to damage hearing, even if the overall daily average is not high. Because either condition meeting the criteria flags a potential hazard, the statement that it can be either steady-state noise above 85 dBA 8-hour TWA or impulse noise above 140 dB peak SPL correctly describes Potential Hazardous Noise criteria. The other options are incomplete because they omit one of the two pathways or cite an incorrect threshold such as 120 dBA.