CSCS Ireland Noise and Vibration

Question 1

What is the lower exposure action value (LEAV) for daily personal noise exposure under Irish health and safety regulations?

Accepted Answer

80 dB(A)

Answer

75 dB(A)

Answer

85 dB(A)

Answer

90 dB(A)

Question 2

When daily noise reaches the upper exposure action value of 85 dB(A), what action must an employer take?

Accepted Answer

Establish mandatory hearing protection zones and enforce their use

Answer

Simply monitor the noise level and keep records

Answer

Provide hearing protection to workers who request it

Answer

Reduce the working day to four hours

Question 3

What is the noise exposure limit value (ELV) that must never be exceeded under Irish regulations, even with hearing protection in use?

Accepted Answer

87 dB(A)

Answer

85 dB(A)

Answer

90 dB(A)

Answer

95 dB(A)

Question 4

Which type of hearing protection generally provides the greatest noise attenuation in very high noise environments on a construction site?

Accepted Answer

A combination of earplugs worn underneath earmuffs

Answer

Disposable foam earplugs alone

Answer

Reusable pre-moulded earplugs alone

Answer

Earmuffs alone

Question 5

What is the most serious long-term health consequence of uncontrolled exposure to excessive noise on a construction site?

Accepted Answer

Permanent noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL)

Answer

Temporary threshold shift that fully recovers overnight

Answer

Mild ringing in the ears lasting one hour

Answer

Increased blood pressure that normalises after work

Question 6

According to the hierarchy of control, what is the first and most effective step an employer should take to control noise hazards on site?

Accepted Answer

Eliminate or reduce noise at source through engineering or substitution

Answer

Issue hearing protection to every worker immediately

Answer

Erect noise hazard warning signs at the site entrance

Answer

Carry out audiometric testing for all staff

Question 7

What does the 'A' in dB(A) refer to when measuring occupational noise exposure?

Accepted Answer

A frequency weighting that reflects how the human ear perceives sound at different pitches

Answer

The average sound level measured over a full working week

Answer

The absolute peak sound pressure level recorded

Answer

The amplitude of the sound wave in pascals