CSCS Noise and Vibration 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to carry out?
- A fire risk assessment only
- A noise risk assessment to identify workers at risk and determine what actions are needed (Correct answer)
- A financial cost-benefit analysis of hearing protection
- A structural survey of all buildings
Correct answer: A noise risk assessment to identify workers at risk and determine what actions are needed
The Regulations require employers to carry out a noise risk assessment where workers are likely to be exposed to noise at or above the lower exposure action value. The assessment must identify who is at risk, the level of exposure, and what measures are needed to comply with the Regulations.
Question 2: Which of the following construction activities is most likely to cause hand-arm vibration exposure?
- Painting with a brush
- Using a pneumatic breaker to demolish concrete (Correct answer)
- Carrying bricks by hand
- Measuring with a laser level
Correct answer: Using a pneumatic breaker to demolish concrete
Pneumatic breakers (jackhammers) are among the highest vibration magnitude tools used in construction. Other high-risk tools include hammer drills, angle grinders, chainsaws, and needle guns. Employers must assess the vibration magnitude and limit exposure times accordingly.
Question 3: What is the purpose of the SNR (Single Number Rating) on hearing protection?
- To indicate the size of the hearing protector
- To show the assumed level of noise reduction in decibels that the hearing protector provides (Correct answer)
- To rate the comfort level of the hearing protector
- To indicate the protector's price category
Correct answer: To show the assumed level of noise reduction in decibels that the hearing protector provides
The SNR is a single figure in decibels that indicates the overall noise reduction provided by a hearing protector under laboratory conditions. In practice, real-world attenuation is typically lower than the SNR, so a real-world factor should be applied when selecting hearing protection.
Question 4: Under the 2005 Noise Regulations, the exposure limit of 87 dB(A) takes into account what factor that the action values do not?
- The worker's age
- The ambient temperature
- The attenuation provided by hearing protection (Correct answer)
- The time of day the work is carried out
Correct answer: The attenuation provided by hearing protection
The exposure limit value of 87 dB(A) is unique among the three threshold values because it takes into account the noise reduction provided by hearing protection. The action values of 80 and 85 dB(A) are measured without considering any hearing protection worn.
Question 5: What records must employers keep in relation to noise risk assessments?
- No records are required
- A record of the significant findings of the assessment including the measures taken to comply with the Regulations (Correct answer)
- Only the names of workers exposed to noise
- Only the dates of assessments
Correct answer: A record of the significant findings of the assessment including the measures taken to comply with the Regulations
Employers must keep a record of the significant findings of the noise risk assessment, including the identified risks, the workers exposed, the noise levels, and the measures taken to reduce exposure and comply with the Regulations. These records should be reviewed if circumstances change.
Question 6: What tool information should employers check before purchasing vibrating equipment for use on site?
- Only the colour and brand of the tool
- The manufacturer's declared vibration emission value and the tool's suitability for the task (Correct answer)
- Only the weight of the tool
- The country of manufacture only
Correct answer: The manufacturer's declared vibration emission value and the tool's suitability for the task
Before purchasing vibrating equipment, employers should check the manufacturer's declared vibration emission value (required under the Supply of Machinery (Safety) Regulations 2008), compare values between similar tools to select the lowest vibration option, and confirm the tool is suitable for the intended task.
CSCS Noise and Vibration 4
What does the Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005 require employers to carry out?