Site Card Test
Course menuHS&E TUNN

Exams / HS&E TUNN / Dust, noise and vibration

Dust, noise and vibration questions for the Tunnelling (TUNN) specialist test

7 free questions on Dust, noise and vibration, from section E. Specialist: Tunnelling. Every question is original and explains why each option is right or wrong.

Last verified against HSE guidance and the law ·How we write our questions

Practice Dust, noise and vibrationTake the free practice exam

Question 1

Easier ·Link to this question (question 1)

A tunnel is being driven through sandstone and lined with concrete.

Why is the dust a serious health risk?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. It is only a risk on hot days
  2. B. It isn't a risk underground
  3. C. It contains silica, which harms lungs
  4. D. It makes the tunnel dirty
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. Silica dust is a risk whatever the weather.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Tunnelling is a higher-risk task.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says silica is found in most rocks, sand and clay and in products such as concrete, and HSE lists tunnelling as a task with dust exposure.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. The danger is to the lungs.

Explanation

Rock, sand, clay and concrete contain silica. Tunnelling creates silica dust that can damage your lungs.

Study

Question 2

Medium ·Link to this question (question 2)

A miner says the air near the face looks clear, so the dust must be harmless.

What does HSE say?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. If you can't see dust, there is none
  2. B. Only coloured dust is harmful
  3. C. Dust only matters above ground
  4. D. The harmful dust is too fine to see in normal light
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. The harmful dust is invisible in normal light.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Colour doesn't tell you if dust is harmful.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Tunnelling creates silica dust.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says respirable crystalline silica is too fine to see in normal lighting.

Explanation

Respirable silica dust is too fine to see in normal light, so clear-looking air can still be harmful.

Study

Question 3

Medium ·Link to this question (question 3)

A tunnel miner has breathed silica dust for many years.

What disease can this lead to?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Silicosis
  2. B. Tennis elbow
  3. C. Weil's disease
  4. D. Hay fever
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE says long-term exposure to silica dust can cause swelling and scarring and lead to silicosis.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. That is not caused by dust.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. That comes from rat urine.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. Silica dust causes silicosis.

Explanation

Long-term exposure to silica dust can cause silicosis.

Study

Question 4

Medium ·Link to this question (question 4)

Miners use breakers and drills for hours each shift.

Which early signs of hand-arm vibration should they report?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Itchy eyes
  2. B. Tingling, numbness, white fingers
  3. C. A sore throat and a runny nose
  4. D. Feeling hungry
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: B

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. That isn't a sign of vibration damage.
  • B. Right: Right. HSE says tingling, numbness, or fingers going white are early signs of hand-arm vibration syndrome.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. That isn't a sign of vibration damage.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. That isn't a sign of vibration damage.

Explanation

Report tingling, numbness or white fingers early. Vibration damage can become permanent.

Study

Question 5

Medium ·Link to this question (question 5)

Noise from plant in a tunnel is above the upper exposure action value of 85 dB.

What must happen?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Workers can turn their radios up
  2. B. Only visitors need protection
  3. C. Hearing protection must be worn
  4. D. Nothing, as tunnels are always noisy
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: C

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. That adds noise.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Everyone exposed needs protection.
  • C. Right: Right. HSE says at the upper exposure action value, hearing protection must be provided and worn, and noise must be reduced as far as reasonably practicable.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. The noise regulations still apply.

Explanation

Above 85 dB, hearing protection is required and noise must be reduced where possible.

Study

Question 6

Medium ·Link to this question (question 6)

You are planning how to control silica dust from cutting concrete segments in a tunnel.

What comes first?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Rely only on dust masks, changed every shift
  2. B. Sweep the dust up dry
  3. C. Do nothing, as the tunnel is ventilated
  4. D. Control it at source, e.g. with water
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: D

  • A. Wrong: Wrong. RPE comes after controlling the dust at source.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. Dry sweeping stirs dust into the air.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. Ventilation alone isn't enough.
  • D. Right: Right. HSE says control dust at source first, for example with water suppression or extraction, and use RPE as well where needed.

Explanation

Control silica dust at source with water or extraction, then use fit-tested RPE where needed.

Study

Question 7

Easier ·Link to this question (question 7)

HSE lists jobs with a higher risk to lung health from harmful dust.

Which of these is on HSE's list, alongside surface grinding and crushing?

Choose one answer.

  1. A. Tunnelling
  2. B. Office filing and admin work
  3. C. Driving a car to site
  4. D. Painting with a brush outdoors
Show the answer and explanation

Answer: A

  • A. Right: Right. HSE lists tunnelling alongside surface grinding, crushing and screening demolition material as tasks with exposure to harmful substances.
  • B. Wrong: Wrong. That isn't a dusty task.
  • C. Wrong: Wrong. That isn't on HSE's list.
  • D. Wrong: Wrong. That isn't on HSE's list.

Explanation

Tunnelling is a higher-risk task for lung disease from dust such as silica.

Study

Study Dust, noise and vibration

More E. Specialist: Tunnelling topics