Element 8

Question 1

Outline the Psychological effects on hearing due to exposure to noise?

Answer 1

• Stress effects: caused by irritating nuisance/background noise.
• Difficulty concentrating and an increase in errors caused by nuisance/background noise.

Question 2

List the different types of noise meter that can be used to undertake noise measurement?

Answer 2

• Simple sound level meter.
• Integrating sound level meter.
• Dosimeters.
• Peak pressure level meter.

Question 3

The amount of damage done to the ear, due to noise, is dependent upon the amount of energy absorbed by the inner ear. What 2 factors determine this?

Answer 3

• Noise level (measured in db(A)).

- Duration of exposure (hours and minutes).

Question 4

What are the 2 “Action Levels” that THE CONTROL OF NOISE AT WORK REGULATIONS 2005, recognise?

Answer 4

• Lower Exposure Action Value = 80 db(A) daily personal noise exposure.
• Upper Exposure Action Value = 85db(A) daily personal noise exposure.

Question 5

If the action level “Lower exposure action value” is reached, what MUST the employer do?

Answer 5

• Carry out and record a noise assessment.
• Provide information instruction and training to employees.
• Make hearing protection available. (They do not have to enforce its use).

Question 6

If the action level “Upper exposure action value” is reached, what MUST the employer do?

Answer 6

• Carry out and record a noise assessment.
• Reduce noise exposure to the lowest level reasonably practicable by means other than hearing protection.
  IF NOISE LEVELS ARE STILL ABOVE 85db(A), THE EMPLOYER MUST:
• Establish mandatory hearing protection zones.
• Provide information, instruction and training to employees.
• Provide hearing protection and enforce it’s use.
• Provide health surveillance (audiometry).

Question 7

Outline ways by which reduction of noise at source can be achieved?

Answer 7

• Eliminate the source.
• Substitute the source.
• Modify the process.
• Maintenance.
• Damping.
• Silencing.

Question 8

Outline ways by which the pathway of noise to the source can be interrupted?

Answer 8

• Insulation.
• Isolation.
• Absorption.

Question 9

Outline ways by the receiver can be protected from noise exposure?

Answer 9

• Acoustic haven.

- Hearing protection.

Question 10

Give some advantages of ear defenders?

Answer 10

• Easy to supervise and enforce use, because they are visible.
• Less chance of infections.
• Higher level of protection possible through all sound frequencies; bone transmission is reduced.
• Can be integrated with other PPE; e.g. Safety helmets.
• Re-usable.

Question 11

Give some disadvantages/limitations of ear defenders?

Answer 11

• Uncomfortable when worn for long time.
• Must be routinely inspected, cleaned and maintained.
• Efficiency may be reduced by long hair, spectacles or earrings.
• Incompatible with some other items worn; e.g. Spectacles.
• Need dedicated storage facility.

Question 12

Give some advantages of ear plugs?

Answer 12

• Cheap.
• Disposable.
• Often more comfortable to wear.
• Do not interfere with any other items worn; e.g. PPE.

Question 13

Give some disadvantages/limitations of ear plugs?

Answer 13

• Difficult to see when fitted, so supervision and enforcement difficult.
• Risk of infection if dirty or if cross-contaminated when inserted.

Question 14

Define “Audiometry”?

Answer 14

• A medical test that quantifies the sensitivity of a persons hearing across a range of frequencies.

Question 15

Identify some occupations that may be at risk from excessive noise exposure?

Answer 15

• Construction workers.
• Uniformed services.
• Entertainment sector workers.
• Manufacturing sector workers.
• Call centre staff.

Question 16

Health effects associated with vibration fall into 2 categories. What are they?

Answer 16

• Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

- Whole Body Vibration Effects.

Question 17

Identify the symptoms of HAVS?

Answer 17

• Vibration White Finger (VWF).
• Nerve Damage.
• Muscle Weakening.
• Joint Damage.

Question 18

Identify the 2 types of radiation?

Answer 18

• Non Ionising Radiation.

- Ionising Radiation.

Question 19

Identify the 5 types of Non Ionising radiation?

Answer 19

• Ultravoilet (UV).
• Visible light.
• Infrared (IR).
• Microwaves.
• Radiowaves.

Question 20

Identify the 5 types Ionising radiation?

Answer 20

• Alpha particles.
• Beta particles.
• X-rays.
• Gamma rays.
• Neutrons.

Question 21

Define Stress?

Answer 21

• The adverse reaction that people have to excessive pressure or other demands placed on them.

Question 22

List the causes of workplace stress?

Answer 22

• Demands.
• Lack of Control.
• Lack of Support.
• Poor Workplace Relationships.
• Lack of Clarity of Role and Responsibilities.
• Threat of Change.

Question 23

Outline the effects of stress?

Answer 23

• PSYCHOLOGICAL: anxiety, low self-esteem, depression.
• PHYSICAL: sweating, fast heart beat, high blood pressure, skin rashes, muscle tension, headache, dizziness.
• BEHAVIOURAL: sleeplessness, inability to concentrate, poor decision making ability, mood swings, irritability, increased alcohol consumption, drug misuse, increased absence from workplace.

Question 24

Outline the Physical effects on hearing due to exposure to noise?

Answer 24

• Temporary reduction in hearing sensitivity as a result of short duration exposure to excessively loud noise.
• Temporary ringing on the ears as a result of short duration exposure to excessively loud noise.
• Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL): permanent progressive loss of hearing as a result of repeated exposure to excessively loud noise.
• Tinnitus: persistent ringing in the ears as a result of repeated exposure to excessively loud noise.
• Inability to hear: hazards such as vehicles, alarms and earning sirens, conversation and spoken instructions; as a result of background noise.