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Operatives and Specialists – Noise and Vibration (2023)

Construction Test > Operatives and Specialists – Noise and Vibration (2023)

You need to answer at least 27 out of 30 questions correctly to pass the Noise and Vibration Test for Operatives and Specialists. Answers may be reviewed after each question or at the end of the test. Good luck!

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List of questions in above test (quick view). Click question box to reveal correct answer.
1. How can you reverse the effects of hearing loss? Give ONE answer
A You can access treatment through your employer
B You can wait for it to recover over time
C You can wear ear protection
D You cannot
Correct Answer: D You cannot
Explanation: Hearing damage can be permanent and irreversible.
2. How can you tell if you suffer from tinnitus? Give ONE answer
A You cannot hear high frequencies
B You develop a poor sense of balance
C You hear a persistent ringing
D You lose blood circulation in your extremities
Correct Answer: C You hear a persistent ringing
Explanation: Tinnitus is experienced as a constant ringing or buzzing in the ears.
3. Hearing loss as a result of noise exposure sets in: Give ONE answer
A Immediately
B Never
C Only when a person has pre-existing ear problems
D Over a period of time
Correct Answer: D Over a period of time
Explanation: Hearing loss develops over a period of time.
4. What are two signs you may be developing hearing damage? Give TWO answers
A You are experiencing pain in your ear canal
B You are noticing regular bouts of dizziness
C You are playing music at higher volume on your headphones
D You are regularly having to ask people to speak up
Correct Answer: C You are playing music at higher volume on your headphones, D You are regularly having to ask people to speak up
Explanation: You may be developing hearing damage if you are struggling to hear sounds at normal levels.
5. What is usually the main source of harmful noise on a construction site? Give ONE answer
A Alarms and sirens
B Generators
C Hand held tools
D Vehicle traffic
Correct Answer: C Hand held tools
Explanation: Hand held tools are the most common sources of on-site noise.
6. What are two damaging types of noise? Give TWO answers
A Bass noise (e.g. from generators)
B Continuous noise (e.g. drilling)
C Electronic noise (e.g. from radio comms)
D Peak noise (e.g. from piling rigs)
Correct Answer: B Continuous noise (e.g. drilling), D Peak noise (e.g. from piling rigs)
Explanation: Continuous noise and peak noise are damaging types of on-site noise.
7. Which method of cutting holes will be LESS damaging to your hearing? Give ONE answer
A Using a hammer drill
B Using a rotary diamond cutter
Correct Answer: B Using a rotary diamond cutter
Explanation: A rotary diamond cutter is the safer option to protect your hearing.
8. You were told in a briefing that an area requires hearing protection, but when you arrive there is no signage. What should you do? Give ONE answer
A Continue without protection
B Continue without protection if the noise in the area is tolerable
C Wear the protection you were instructed to
D Wear the protection you were instructed to in your briefing, and report the lack of signage to your supervisor
Correct Answer: D Wear the protection you were instructed to in your briefing, and report the lack of signage to your supervisor
Explanation: Always wear protection you have been instructed to, and report any missing signage to your supervisor.
9. You are in an area where hearing protection is mandatory, but you are on break. What is safe practice? Give ONE answer
A You may remove hearing protection for brief periods in this area whilst on break
B You may remove hearing protection in these areas if you are not operating tools
C You may remove hearing protection to conduct brief conversations whilst on break
D You must keep your hearing protection fitted at all times
Correct Answer: D You must keep your hearing protection fitted at all times
Explanation: Even short periods of noise can hugely increase your daily exposure. You should wear protection at all times in areas that require it.
10. What are TWO requirements that must be met for earplugs to be effective? Give TWO answers
A They must be fitted properly
B They must be fitted with clean hands
C They must be made of durable neoprene
D They must be mounted on a cord
Correct Answer: A They must be fitted properly, B They must be fitted with clean hands
Explanation: Earplugs must be properly fitted, and with clean hands, to prevent hearing damage and infections.
11. What is the correct way to fit earplugs? Give ONE answer
A Always ensure at least half the plug is out of your ear canal, so it can be safely removed
B Compress them between two fingers, and insert them as deep as you can
C Push them in without rolling them, as this will damage the fibres and reduce their effectiveness
D Tightly roll them, and insert them deep into the ear canal
Correct Answer: D Tightly roll them, and insert them deep into the ear canal
Explanation: Roll the plugs and insert them deep into the canal; this is easier if you pull the top of your ear to widen the canal.
12. You are issued ear defenders, and the soft inner lining is torn on one side. What should you do? Give ONE answer
A Find a team member with functioning ear defenders, and alternate using them together
B Find some soft material to pad the damaged side
C Wait until you are issued with a new pair before you work in noisy areas
D Work with this pair, as the damage is only cosmetic
Correct Answer: C Wait until you are issued with a new pair before you work in noisy areas
Explanation: You must not work in noisy areas without fully functioning ear protection.
13. How can you tell if your ear defenders are fitted effectively? Give ONE answer
A They are tightly sealed to your head
B They can be worn comfortably with glasses
C They do not become uncomfortable after long periods of use
D They do not cause you to sweat in hot weather
Correct Answer: A They are tightly sealed to your head
Explanation: Ear defenders must seal tightly against your head. They are not effective if worn with glasses, and it is normal for them to become sweaty or uncomfortable after long periods of use.
14. What are the TWO noise levels at which an employer is legally obliged to take additional safety measures? Give TWO answers
A Lower exposure action level: 45 dB(A)
B Lower exposure action level: 80 dB(A)
C Upper exposure action level: 100 dB(A)
D Upper exposure action level: 85 dB(A)
Correct Answer: B Lower exposure action level: 80 dB(A), D Upper exposure action level: 85 dB(A)
Explanation: The lower level is 80 dB(A) and the upper level is 85 dB(A).
15. Your employer has designated an area as a mandatory hearing protection zone. Which noise exposure level does this suggest? Give ONE answer
A Lower exposure action level: 80 dB(A)
B Upper exposure action level: 85 dB(A)
Correct Answer: B Upper exposure action level: 85 dB(A)
Explanation: Employers are legally required to make hearing protection mandatory when noise reaches the upper exposure action level. However, they may do so at any time.
16. A colleague 2 metres away cannot hear you unless you raise your voice. What does this suggest? Give ONE answer
A That the noise level has reached or exceeds the higher exposure action level
B That the noise level has reached or exceeds the lower exposure action level
C This is common on-site, and suggests nothing important
D You colleague may be suffering from hearing damage
Correct Answer: B That the noise level has reached or exceeds the lower exposure action level
Explanation: Having to raise your voice to be heard by someone 2 metres away suggests the noise levels have, at minimum, reached the lower exposure action level.
17. Alongside hearing damage, what is ONE other major risk high noise levels can create? Give ONE answer
A Accidents may occur because other on-site warning sounds are not heard
B Site managers will be liable for prosecution
C Workers may be tempted to listen to music, and become distracted from tasks
D Workers may experience increased fatigue
Correct Answer: A Accidents may occur because other on-site warning sounds are not heard
Explanation: High noise levels mask other sounds, such as alarms or warnings from reversing vehicles.
18. What dangerous health condition does this diagram illustrate? Give ONE answer
A Arthritis
B Carpal tunnel syndrome
C Dermatitis
D HAVS
Correct Answer: D HAVS
Explanation: This diagram illustrates symptoms of HAVS.
19. What is the principle cause of HAVS on site? Give ONE answer
A Excessive inhalation of toxic fumes
B Persistent exposure to high noise levels over time
C Protracted exposure to extreme temperatures
D Protracted use of hand held tools that create vibrations
Correct Answer: D Protracted use of hand held tools that create vibrations
Explanation: Handheld tools are the biggest HAVS risk in construction.
20. What does HAVS stand for? Give ONE answer
A Hand-arm vascular shock
B Hand-arm vibration syndrome
C Head-arm vibration stress
D Holistic arterial-vascular stress
Correct Answer: B Hand-arm vibration syndrome
Explanation: HAVS is a result of vibrational exposure to the hands and arms.
21. Which of the following is NOT a symptom of HAVS? Give ONE answer
A Intense burning in the fingers
B Loss of dexterity
C Numbness in the hands
D Receding nail beds
Correct Answer: D Receding nail beds
Explanation: Numbness, tingling, burning, throbbing, and lack of manual dexterity in the fingers or hands are all signs you may be developing HAVS.
22. What should you do if you have been drilling and your hands begin to tingle? Give ONE answer
A Continue working - this is not a cause for concern
B Continue working but monitor yourself for further symptoms
C Report your symptoms so better preventative measure can be put in place
D Stop all work and consult a doctor immediately
Correct Answer: C Report your symptoms so better preventative measure can be put in place
Explanation: Tingling fingers can be an early sign of HAVS, and suggest insufficient safety measures are in place. You must report this symptom before the condition worsens.
23. How is HAVS treated? Give ONE answer
A It can be easily treated with a cycle of prescription medication
B It is incurable
C It will improve with regular physical therapy
D With a combination of medication and physical therapy
Correct Answer: B It is incurable
Explanation: HAVS is a permanent and progressive condition. It cannot be cured.
24. HAVS may present alongside which two additional conditions? Give TWO answers
A Arthritis
B Carpal tunnel syndrome
C Dermatitis
D Tennis elbow
Correct Answer: B Carpal tunnel syndrome, D Tennis elbow
Explanation: The circumstances that cause HAVS may also cause carpal tunnel syndrome and tennis elbow.
25. Which TWO of the following is your employer legally obliged to do regarding your daily vibration dose? Give TWO answers
A Ensure that it is limited and within safe levels
B Ensure that it is zero
C Inform you about usage limits and how to avoid exceeding them
D Nothing: you are legally obliged to moderate your own daily vibration dose
Correct Answer: A Ensure that it is limited and within safe levels, C Inform you about usage limits and how to avoid exceeding them
Explanation: Your employer must ensure you do not receive damaging vibration dosages, and must furnish you with usage limit information.
26. What TWO steps can you take to limit the risk of developing HAVS when using hand held tools? Give TWO answers
A Exercise your hands during break periods
B Relax your grip so that most of the work is done by the tool
C Rest your hands during break periods
D Tighten your grip to reduce the strength of vibration
Correct Answer: A Exercise your hands during break periods, B Relax your grip so that most of the work is done by the tool
Explanation: You can protect yourself by loosening your grip, and exercising your hands. This reduces vibration damage, and promotes blood flow.
27. What should you expect from your employer regarding information about the risks of vibration exposure? Give ONE answer
A A general overview, and a willingness to answer job-specific queries
B An on-site medical consultant
C Clear, specific information and training sessions
D Nothing - it is your responsibility to be informed of the risks
Correct Answer: C Clear, specific information and training sessions
Explanation: Employers should ensure you receive clear training and information regarding vibration exposure at work.
28. Why will an employer begin health surveillance of an employee who is exposed to high vibration levels? Give ONE answer
A Health surveillance would not be used under these circumstances
B To ensure that safety measures are working and the employee is not developing health problems
C To ensure they are not held liable for damages if the employee develops HAVS
D To experiment with the efficacy of new safety measures
Correct Answer: B To ensure that safety measures are working and the employee is not developing health problems
Explanation: Employers must begin health surveillance under these circumstances to ensure the employee is properly protected.
29. What kind of gloves might you wear to reduce the risk of developing HAVS? Give ONE answer
A Anti-vibration gloves - they lessen the effect vibrations have on your hands
B Slippery gloves - they reduce the transmission of vibrations to your body
C Warm gloves - cold hands are more susceptible to vibration damage
D You should never wear gloves whilst operating tools
Correct Answer: C Warm gloves - cold hands are more susceptible to vibration damage
Explanation: "Anti-vibration" gloves are not recommended. They usually have minimal or no effect, and may increase damage; keeping hands warm provides better protection.
30. Poor circulation in your fingers persists beyond winter, and your doctor diagnoses you with HAVS. Should you tell your employer? Give ONE answer
A No, because there is nothing they can do
B No, because they will may dismiss you
C Yes, because they are entitled to make an insurance claim
D Yes, because they will need to inform the HSE
Correct Answer: D Yes, because they will need to inform the HSE
Explanation: You must inform your employer, because they are legally obliged to report this to the HSE.