CHST Practice Test – Complete Exam Preparation

The correct response indicates that according to OSHA's audiometric testing standards, it is mandated that a baseline audiogram should be performed within six months after a worker's first exposure to noise levels exceeding 85 decibels A-weighted (dBA). This is a crucial step in occupational safety, as establishing a baseline allows for the detection of changes in hearing ability that may occur due to prolonged exposure to hazardous noise levels.

Conducting the audiometric testing within this timeframe ensures that employers can accurately assess any hearing loss or changes that may arise from the work environment over time. The threshold of 85 dBA is significant because it is recognized as a level of noise exposure that can lead to hearing damage if individuals are subjected to it over extended periods.

By adhering to this standard, employers fulfill their responsibility to monitor the health of workers exposed to high noise levels, which ultimately contributes to better health outcomes and the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss in the workplace.