What is the maximum dB(A) an employee should be exposed to regardless of the 8-hr average?

The correct answer is based on established occupational safety guidelines and regulations concerning permissible noise exposure levels in the workplace. The maximum decibel level that an employee should be exposed to, regardless of the 8-hour time-weighted average, is 140 dB(A). This threshold is set to ensure that noise-induced hearing loss is effectively prevented.

At 140 dB(A), the risk of immediate hearing damage is significant, and protective measures become critical to safeguard employees' auditory health. Regulations typically stipulate exposure limits that not only consider average exposure over the workday but also the risk of short-term, high-intensity noise, where instantaneous levels can pose acute risks.

Understanding these limits is essential for compliance with occupational health standards and for implementing effective hearing conservation programs. The other options represent levels that might still be dangerous but do not encompass the absolute maximum threshold established for short bursts or instantaneous exposure without considering average levels over the workday. Thus, 140 dB(A) is recognized as the critical cutoff point for immediate concern regarding safe exposure.