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HS&E Operatives practice question: Noise and vibration (2 of 7)

B. Occupational health A free question from our original HS&E Operatives practice exam. Try it, then open the answer to see why each option is right or wrong.

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You are wearing ear defenders while using a breaker. It gets hot, so you think about taking them off for ten minutes while you finish the job.

What is the risk?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. None, because hearing damage always heals overnight
  2. B. You may get tinnitus, but your hearing won't be affected
  3. C. Your hearing could still be damaged in that short time
  4. D. None, as long as you wore them for most of the shift
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Noise damage is permanent. Once your hearing has gone, it does not come back.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Tinnitus, a ringing in the ears, is one sign of damage, but your hearing itself can also be lost for good.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says taking hearing protection off even for a short while means your hearing could still be damaged. Keep it on the whole time you are in the noise.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. A short time without protection in loud noise lets through much of the day's noise dose.

Explanation

Wear your hearing protection all the time you are in noisy work. Taking it off even briefly can damage your hearing, and hearing loss can't be cured.

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