An employee without hearing protection must not be exposed to 125 decibels any longer than ________.

The statement regarding the exposure limit to 125 decibels without hearing protection aligns with established occupational safety regulations, specifically those from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and similar governing bodies. The guideline stipulates that when exposed to noise levels at 125 decibels, which is considered a very high level of noise, the safe exposure time for an employee is limited to 15 minutes.

This limit is set to prevent hearing damage and ensure that workers are not subjected to prolonged exposure to potentially harmful sound levels. Sound at this intensity can lead to immediate auditory risk, and therefore, regulations dictate strict time limits to protect employee health. Such exposure limits are based on extensive studies that show the damaging effects of loud noise over time, emphasizing the importance of hearing conservation measures in noisy work environments.

This regulatory framework is crucial in maintaining workplace safety and reducing the risk of noise-induced hearing loss among employees, making the chosen limit of 15 minutes not only a protective standard but also a critical guideline for businesses to implement.