Element 9 - Physical & Psychological Health Flashcards
Outline the Physical effects on hearing due to exposure to noise?
- 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.
Outline the Psychological effects on hearing due to exposure to noise?
- Stress effects: caused by irritating nuisance/background noise.
- Difficulty concentrating and an increase in errors caused by nuisance/background noise.
List the different types of noise meter that can be used to undertake noise measurement?
- Simple sound level meter.
- Integrating sound level meter.
- Dosimeters.
- Peak pressure level meter.
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?
- Noise level (measured in db(A)).
- Duration of exposure (hours and minutes).
What are the 2 “Action Levels” that THE CONTROL OF NOISE AT WORK REGULATIONS 2005, recognise?
- Lower Exposure Action Value = 80 db(A) daily personal noise exposure.
- Upper Exposure Action Value = 85db(A) daily personal noise exposure.
If the action level “Lower exposure action value” is reached, what MUST the employer do?
- 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).
If the action level “Upper exposure action value” is reached, what MUST the employer do?
- 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).
Outline ways by which reduction of noise at source can be achieved?
- Eliminate the source.
- Substitute the source.
- Modify the process.
- Maintenance.
- Damping.
- Silencing.
Outline ways by which the pathway of noise to the source can be interrupted?
- Insulation.
- Isolation.
- Absorption.
Outline ways by the receiver can be protected from noise exposure?
- Acoustic haven.
- Hearing protection.
Give some advantages of ear defenders?
- 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.
Give some disadvantages/limitations of ear defenders?
- 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.
Give some advantages of ear plugs?
- Cheap.
- Disposable.
- Often more comfortable to wear.
- Do not interfere with any other items worn; e.g. PPE.
Give some disadvantages/limitations of ear plugs?
- Difficult to see when fitted, so supervision and enforcement difficult.
- Risk of infection if dirty or if cross-contaminated when inserted.
Define “Audiometry”?
- A medical test that quantifies the sensitivity of a persons hearing across a range of frequencies.
