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Noise and vibration questions for the CSCS test

7 free questions on Noise and vibration, from section B. Occupational health. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

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Question 1

Easier ·Link to this question (question 1)

You are working near a road saw. To talk to your workmate, who is about 2 metres away, you have to shout.

What does this tell you?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Noise is only harmful if your ears hurt afterwards
  2. B. The noise could be damaging your hearing
  3. C. Your workmate needs to have their hearing tested
  4. D. The noise is only a problem if it lasts a full shift
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Noise damage is usually painless. Ringing or dull hearing after work are warning signs, and the damage is permanent.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says that if you have to shout to talk to someone 2 metres away, the noise is probably 85 dB or more. At that level hearing protection must be provided and worn.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. The problem is the noise level, not your workmate. Anyone working in that noise for long is at risk.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Hearing damage builds up over time, but at this level even a couple of hours a day can harm your hearing.

Explanation

If you have to shout to be heard 2 metres away, the noise is probably loud enough to damage your hearing. Wear your hearing protection and ask about quieter ways of working.

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Question 2

Easier ·Link to this question (question 2)

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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Question 3

Medium · choose 2 ·Link to this question (question 3)

You use a hammer drill and a disc cutter most days.

Which two could be early signs of hand-arm vibration syndrome? (Choose two.)

Choose two answers.

  1. A. Fingertips going white, then red and painful
  2. B. Ringing in your ears after work
  3. C. A stiff lower back at the end of the day
  4. D. Tingling and numbness in your fingers
Show the answer and explanation

Answers: A, D

  • A. Right: Right. In cold or wet weather the fingertips may turn white, then red and painful as they warm up. Report this too.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Ringing in the ears (tinnitus) is a sign of noise damage, not vibration. Tools that vibrate are often noisy too, so you may need to report both.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Back pain can come from manual handling or from whole-body vibration, for example from driving plant, but it is not a sign of hand-arm vibration syndrome.
  • D. Right: Right. Tingling and numbness, during or after using vibrating tools, are early signs. Report them to your employer straight away.

Explanation

Early signs of hand-arm vibration syndrome include tingling, numbness, loss of grip and white fingertips. The damage can become permanent, so report symptoms early.

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Question 4

Medium ·Link to this question (question 4)

Your gang spends a lot of time using vibrating tools. Read these statements about reducing the risk: 1. Use a lower-vibration tool when a suitable one is available. 2. Grip the tool as hard as you can to stop it shaking. 3. Report tools that are worn or faulty. 4. Keep your hands warm and dry.

Which of the statements are correct?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  2. B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  3. C. 2 and 4 only
  4. D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. Lower-vibration tools, well-maintained tools and keeping warm all reduce the risk. Gripping harder (statement 2) makes it worse.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Statement 2 is not true: HSE says avoid gripping or forcing a tool more than you have to. Statement 4 is true, so it should be included.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Statement 2 is not true, and statements 1 and 3 are both true and should be included.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Statement 2 is not true. A tighter grip passes more vibration into your hands.

Explanation

Use the right, lowest-vibration tool for the job, report worn or faulty tools, keep warm and dry, take breaks and don't grip harder than you need to.

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Question 5

Easier ·Link to this question (question 5)

You use noisy tools every day, and your employer sends you for regular hearing checks.

Why?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. To check you are not using your phone at work
  2. B. So you don't need to wear hearing protection
  3. C. Because everyone over 40 must have them
  4. D. To spot early signs of hearing damage
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Hearing checks are about your health, not your phone.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Checks don't protect your hearing. You still need hearing protection.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Checks are needed because of the noise you work in, not your age.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says health surveillance (hearing checks) must be provided for workers regularly exposed above 85 dB. It helps catch damage early, so action can be taken.

Explanation

Workers regularly exposed to high noise or vibration get health surveillance. It spots early signs of damage, so go to your checks and report symptoms.

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Question 6

Medium ·Link to this question (question 6)

Your gang needs to cut several hundred concrete blocks to size. Using a cut-off saw would mean hours of vibration each day.

What is the best way to reduce the vibration risk?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Use a block splitter instead of a cut-off saw
  2. B. Wear two pairs of gloves
  3. C. Use the saw for longer but with fewer breaks
  4. D. Grip the saw tighter so it shakes less
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE suggests changing the method, for example using block splitters instead of cut-off saws. That removes the vibration rather than just reducing it.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Gloves keep hands warm, but they don't stop much vibration.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Longer use increases your vibration exposure.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. A tighter grip passes more vibration into your hands.

Explanation

The best way to reduce vibration is to change the method so the vibrating tool isn't needed. Then use low-vibration tools and share the work.

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Question 7

Easier ·Link to this question (question 7)

A noisy generator is running right next to where your gang is working.

What would help most to reduce the noise you are exposed to?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Take your ear defenders off so you can hear warnings
  2. B. Move it further away, or put a barrier round it
  3. C. Turn up your radio so you can't hear the generator
  4. D. Work closer to it so you get used to the noise
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Keep hearing protection on in noisy areas. Reduce the noise at source.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says noise drops a lot with distance, so put noisy equipment as far as possible from workers, and use screens or barriers.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. That adds more noise and harms your hearing.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. You don't get used to noise safely. The damage builds up.

Explanation

Reduce noise at the source first: quieter equipment, more distance and barriers. Hearing protection is for the noise that is left.

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