Confined Spaces & Noise Flashcards

Under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, what is the Lower Exposure Action Value (LEAV)?

Answer: 80 dB(A) daily or weekly average — employers must provide information and make hearing protection available

The Lower Exposure Action Value under the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 is 80 dB(A) (daily or weekly average exposure). At this level, employers must provide workers with information about the risks and make hearing protection available.

What is the Upper Exposure Action Value (UEAV) for noise in construction?

Answer: 85 dB(A) — at this level hearing protection use becomes mandatory

The Upper Exposure Action Value is 85 dB(A). When workers are exposed to noise at or above this level, employers must implement a noise reduction programme and hearing protection use becomes mandatory.

What is the Exposure Limit Value (ELV) for noise that must never be exceeded?

Answer: 87 dB(A) — even accounting for hearing protection worn

The Exposure Limit Value of 87 dB(A) must never be exceeded, even taking into account the protection provided by hearing protection worn. If a worker is still exposed to 87 dB(A) or above when wearing PPE, the situation is unlawful.

Which specialist trade typically generates the highest noise exposure levels on a construction site?

Answer: Chasing and drilling (hammer drilling, angle grinding, scabbling)

Hammer drilling, angle grinding, and scabbling generate noise levels well above 100 dB(A), far exceeding both action values. These activities require hearing protection and, wherever possible, quieter working methods.

What is the hierarchy of noise control on a construction site?

Answer: Eliminate, substitute with quieter equipment, engineer controls (enclosures/screens), then PPE as a last resort

Noise control follows the hierarchy of prevention: eliminate the noisy process, substitute with quieter methods, apply engineering controls (enclosures, screens, anti-vibration mounts), then administrative controls (job rotation), with PPE only as a final resort.

What health condition is caused by prolonged exposure to excessive noise at work?

Answer: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) — permanent, irreversible damage to inner ear hair cells

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) is a permanent, irreversible condition caused by prolonged exposure to loud noise, which destroys the sensory hair cells in the inner ear. Unlike temporary threshold shift after noise exposure, NIHL cannot be reversed.