What is the recommended action when noise levels exceed 85 decibels in a workplace?

When noise levels exceed 85 decibels in a workplace, using hearing protection is a recommended action to safeguard employees' auditory health. Prolonged exposure to noise at or above this level can lead to hearing loss and other health concerns. Hearing protection devices, such as earplugs or earmuffs, help to attenuate loud sounds and protect workers' ears, ensuring a safer working environment.

Ignoring the noise can lead to serious long-term consequences for hearing, while increasing the volume of conversation does not mitigate the dangers posed by excessive noise exposure. Monitoring the noise levels is important, but it is not sufficient by itself to protect individuals in a noisy environment. Thus, wearing appropriate hearing protection is crucial when noise exceeds recommended levels.