Questions & Answers
Correct Answer
hand-leg vibration syndrome.
vibration white finger
an inability to hear other sounds, instructions or warnings.
workers to lose concentration, fatigue and be prone to accidents.
an accident.
temporary hair loss.
vibration white finger.
permanent hearing loss.
inform the safety representative.
inform the Health and Safety Authority.
give a toolbox talk about the dangers of noise.
carry out a risk assessment and make hearing protection available.
sense of smell.
feeling in the fingers.
the use of the leg muscles.
hand and ear co-ordination.
engage in talks with the unions and workers.
inform the Health and Safety Authority and continue working.
inform the Local Authority
identify the reasons for exceeding 87 dB(A) and take action to reduce the noise to below 87 dB(A).
likely to affect your hearing.
unlikely to affect your hearing.
likely to make you prone to ear infections.
acceptable for short-term exposure, without hearing loss.
are temporary.
are permanent.
can be corrected by an operation.
can be reversed to near normal with time.
White symbol and lettering with a blue circle or box on a white background
White symbol and lettering with a red triangle or box on a white background
White symbol and lettering with a black circle or box on a white background
White symbol and lettering with a yellow triangle or box on a white background
Low, high, and extreme
Noisy, very noisy, and unbearable
10 dB(A), 20 dB(A) and 25 dB(A)
80 dB(A), 85 dB(A) and 87 dB(A)
continued use of a hammer.
continued use of a hand trowel.
continued use of a pneumatic drill.
continued use of an electrical planer.
The client
The employer
The employee
The safety officer
From using a hammer for any job, for more than 3 hours in one day.
From using a noise vibration monitor without thick gloves for more than 30 minutes.
Using hammer action tools daily or using rotary and other action tools for more than 1 hour a week.
Using hammer action tools for typically over 1 hour per day or using rotary and other action tools for more than around 4 hours per day.
Not wearing thick gloves
Leaving your phone on vibrate
Using plant to carry out vibration activities
Regular exposure to high levels of vibration from hand-held tools and equipment
Build a 3m fence around the site
Don't use any machinery on site
Only carry out noisy activities during the day
Eliminate noise during design by choosing certain construction methods
It can fracture bones in the arms.
It can induce headaches and nausea.
It can lead to vibration white finger
It can cause dermatitis
70 dB(A)
100 db(A)
110 dB(A)
130 dB(A)
Ask the local residents if the work is noisy
See if there were any tremors in the ground
Ask an experienced site manager for their opinion
Use a noise and vibration monitor to compare against the planning allowance
operating a tower crane
using any hand held tools
using vibrating hand held power tools
working near construction vehicles
Damage to arteries
Damage to blood vessels
Broken hands and fingers
Damage to the nerves in the arms and hand
Roll plug and insert, then repeat. Always use 2 plugs per ear.
Fold plug, pull ear and hold in place while it expands in ear canal.
Use oil to soak plugs prior to use, then roll and insert in ear canal.
Roll plug, pull ear up and back, and hold plug in place while it expands in ear canal.
Using ear protectors
A one-off loud noise
Exposure to noise levels of 87 db over a long period of time
always working in a low noise environment
Do you need ear plugs?
Do you need ear plugs and ear defenders?
Can you eliminate the need to be exposed to the noise?
Can you complete the work quickly, as you are only allowed to be exposed to loud noises for 5 minutes at a time?
Loss of strength in the hands
Tingling and numbness of the fingers
A low roar to a high squeal in both ears
A rash on the hands with small, itchy, red bumps
The client
The employer
The project supervisor
The principle designer
offer compensation to employees working in that area.
inform the Health and Safety Authority and obtain a special permission to work.
issue a permit to work, post signs indicating the noise will exceed 85 dB(A) and restrict access.
reduce noise to the lowest practical level, post signs indicating the noise is likely to exceed 85 dB(A), and provide ear protectors and ensure they are worn.
You could permanently lose your hearing.
You could lose your hearing and would need an operation to restore it.
You could be sued by your employer for breaching health and safety rules.
You may temporarily lose your hearing, but can restore it by taking short breaks from noise exposure.
wear suitable clothing, use the correct personal protective equipment.
are new to the industry as your previous exposure to vibrating tools will be limited.
are an experienced worker and have been in the industry for several years or more.
have wet hands when using vibrating tools, and rest your fingers during work breaks.
An electric hoist
A pneumatic hammer drill
Battery-powered tools, such as a drill
Hand tools, such as a hammer and chisel
tetanus.
tinnitus.
tendinitis.
tuberculosis
Extremely noisy area ahead
Ear protection must be worn
Hearing protection is recommended
Within this container is hearing protection equipment
2m away.
6m away
4m away.
15m away.
Vibration exposure is prevalent everywhere.
There are no warning signs that it can occur.
The long-term effects of vibration are unknown.
They can cause a disabling issue that cannot be cured.
will always be working in an 87 dB(A) environment.
should not be exposed to noise at, or above, 87 dB(A).
must not be exposed to noise over 87 dB(A) in total over one week.
will receive a request in writing from your employer to work in an area with noise at or above 87 dB(A)
avoiding the additional hazard of wearing gloves.
undertaking training to recognise the signs and symptoms of HAVS.
maintaining a high, manual effort to grip, push or pull the equipment.
using the lowest vibration tool possible, or a tool that results in lower exposure time.
what control measures are in place to reduce risks.
how to test colleagues for early signs of vibration-related illnesses.
what symptoms they should look out for and who to report them to.
which regulations to check when they suspect a breach of the legislation.
Make hearing protection available and ensure it is worn
Make employees complete the work as quickly as possible
Inform neighbours of the site that the work is to be carried out
Carry out the work when there are less trades on the construction site
To control vibration works
To outline risks and hazards of vibration work
To protect workers from risks to health from vibration
To prevent employers from being sued by their workers
Vibration white finger
Occupational deafness
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Segmented vibration of the whole body
60dba
70dba
80dba
40dba
Hold the pneumatic tightly
Do the work in short spells
Do the job as quickly as you can
Only hold the pneumatic with one hand