International Diploma

SAMPLE RESOURCES

This RMS sample resources pack contains a selection of powerpoint

slides together with a supporting lesson plan and are representative of
the full set of RMS trainer materials for the NEBOSH International Diploma
qualification.

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Element IB6
Physical agents 1 - noise and

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vibration
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 Learning outcomes

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IB6.1 Explain the basic physical concepts relevant to noise
IB6.2 Explain the effects of noise on the individual and the use of

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audiometry
IB6.3 Explain the measurement and assessment of noise exposure

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IB6.4 Explain the principles of controlling noise and noise

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exposure
IB6.5 Explain the basic physical concepts relevant to vibration
IB6.6 Explain the effects of vibration on the individual
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IB6.7 Explain the measurement and assessment of vibration
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exposure
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IB6.8 Explain the principle of controlling vibration and vibration

exposure

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 Contents

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IB6.1 Basic physical concepts relevant to noise

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IB6.2 Effects of noise on the individual
IB6.3 Measurement and assessment of noise exposure

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IB6.4 Controlling noise and noise exposure

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IB6.5 Basic physical concepts relevant to vibration
IB6.6 Effects of vibration on the individual
IB6.7 Measurement and assessment of vibration exposure
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IB6.8 Controlling vibration and vibration exposure
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 Contents

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IB6.1 Basic physical concepts relevant to noise

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IB6.2 Effects of noise on the individual
IB6.3 Measurement and assessment of noise exposure

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IB6.4 Controlling noise and noise exposure

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IB6.5 Basic physical concepts relevant to vibration
IB6.6 Effects of vibration on the individual
IB6.7 Measurement and assessment of vibration exposure
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IB6.8 Controlling vibration and vibration exposure
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 Definition of noise
• Noise may be defined as any signal that does not convey

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useful information

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• Noise is also defined as unexpected, unpleasant or
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• Some sounds can cause annoyance or stress and loud noise

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can cause damage to the ear
“Covers all sound which can result in hearing impairment or
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be harmful to health or otherwise dangerous”
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Source: Article 3 of (ILO C148, Working Environment Convention 1977).
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 The meaning of noise under the Control
of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
• In the UK, the Control of Noise at Work Regulations (CNWR)

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2005 implements the European Union Directives to protect

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workers from the health risks caused by noise
• They do not apply to members of the public exposed to

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noise from their non-work activities, or when they make an

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informed choice to go to noisy places or from nuisance noise
“Any audible sound”
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“Noise is a reference to the exposure of that employee to
noise which arises while he is at work, or arises out of or in
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connection with his work”

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Source: CNWR 2005 Regulation 2.

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 The meaning of noise under the Control
of Noise at Work Regulations 2005
Workplace examples of noise

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• Metal processing and fabrication

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• Packaging into glass or metal containers
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Veterinary clinics and charity animal sanctuaries
• Wood cutting and finishing
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Grinding equipment
Highway repair work
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• Heavy machinery, transport, construction and mining
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• Orchestral music
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 Noise levels

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Source: UK, Noise at work: HSE Guidance for employers.

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 The basic concept of noise
Wavelength

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• Wavelength () - is the distance covered during one

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complete cycle (i.e. the distance between wave peaks)
• Thus, as the speed of sound in air at normal temperature is

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344 metres per second

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• A frequency of 20 Hz = a wavelength of 17 m and 20 kHz =
0.017 m
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speed of sound
Wavelength =
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frequency
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 Features of a sound wave

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Source: RMS.

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 The basic concept of noise
Amplitude

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• Amplitude is important in the description of a wave

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phenomenon such as light or sound
• In general, the greater the amplitude of the wave, the more

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energy it transmits (for example, a brighter light or a louder

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sound) S
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 The basic concept of noise
Frequency

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• Frequency is the number of cycles (completed wavelengths)

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that the wave makes per second, expressed in the unit Hertz
(Hz)

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• Sound may be of a single frequency (i.e. a pure tone such as

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a tuning fork) but is usually a complex mixture of
frequencies
• The normal range of human hearing is 20 - 20,000 Hz in a
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young healthy adult
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• Broad band noise is the term often used to describe

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occupational noise, because it contains a wide mixture of

frequencies
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 The basic concept of noise
Intensity

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• Intensity refers to the strength of a sound source and,

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separately, the magnitude of a sound field
• A sound source is characterised by the sound power it

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produces and this is expressed in decibels relative to 1 pico

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watt (pW) as a sound power level
• The magnitude of a sound field is measured in decibels relative
to 20 micropascals (Pa) as a sound pressure level
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• The fact that both power and pressure are expressed in
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decibels can be confusing

• The highest sound pressure level that does not produce a
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sensation of pain in humans is approximately 20 Pa - called

‘the threshold of pain’
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 Fletcher-Munson equal loudness curves

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Source: ISO226.
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 Rms and peak levels of a sound wave

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Source: RMS.

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 Rms voltage and current graph

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Source: RMS.

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 The basic concept of sound
Pitch

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• The frequency of the sound is related to pitch

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• High frequency sound, such as that caused by steam
escaping from a valve, would be described as high pitch

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whereas low frequency sound, like that emitted from a

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passing large goods vehicle or bus, would have a low pitch
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 The basic concept of sound
The decibel (dB)

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• The decibel is the unit used to measure the intensity of

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sound
• The Bel was named after A. G. Bell; however this was

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considered to be a large unit and is rarely used

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• The decibel is one tenth of a Bel and is a more convenient
unit for general use
• The decibel is a measure of sound intensity relative to a
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reference level
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• This is calculated for sound power levels by the formula dB =

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10 log10 (P1/P2), where P1 and P2 are the power levels of

the two sounds being compared
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NEBOSH International Diploma – Unit IB International control of hazardous agents in the workplace

Lesson Plan – Day 2

TIME ELEMENT/TOPIC CONTENT RESOURCE/TASK
08.30 Review of overnight work Give feedback regarding content and structure of delegates work. General discussion with group
09.00 Element IB2: Hazardous Learning outcomes: Slides / Flipchart

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substances and other  Outline the factors to consider when assessing risks from chemicals Tutor asking questions to whole group and/or
chemicals – assessment of which are hazardous to health specific individuals to establish learning.
risk

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 Explain elimination of risk or control measures for chemicals which are
hazardous to health
 Explain the specific requirements for asbestos
2.1 Assessing risks Risk assessment procedure and factors to take into account (with reference to Group Work. Students to work in small groups
listing factors to be considered in assessment of

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chapter 6.2 of ILO CoP on the Safety of the Use of Chemicals at Work and
Chapter 4.2 of ILO CoP Ambient factors in the Workplace): risks from chemicals. Students to present.
 assessment of risk:

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o the hazardous properties of the chemical(s), including health
effects and the likely routes of exposure (eg, what is likely to Tutor asking questions to whole group and/or
get into the air and be inhaled (volatility (liquids) or dustiness specific individuals to establish learning.
(solids) or come into contact with skin/eyes or be swallowed);
effect of mixtures
o quantity (amounts/concentration) in use i.e. level of exposure
o operating conditions and processes used (eg, nature of the
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task, methods used, high temperature)
o range of uses of the chemicals (eg, production, handling)
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o variety of tasks, especially where exposure is likely to be
unusually high (eg maintenance, cleaning and accidental
release)
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o consequences and likelihood of failure of existing control

measures
o other relevant factors (eg, duration/frequency of exposure,
frequency of exposure, individual susceptibilities (eg, atopic
persons, women of child bearing capacity, age, sensitisation)

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NEBOSH International Diploma – Unit IB International control of hazardous agents in the workplace

TIME ELEMENT/TOPIC CONTENT RESOURCE/TASK

 appraisal of control measures:
 estimation of risk (and potential for elimination), taking account of:
o effectiveness of existing engineering controls and systems of
work (including disposal)

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o exposure monitoring and limits, health surveillance results or
other applicable exposure standards/data
o PPE as a last resort

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 action programme (with reference to IB2.2) to reduce risk to
acceptable levels
 review of assessment – to take place when reason to suspect it is no
longer valid or where significant change to the work to which the

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assessment relates has occurred
10.45 Break

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11.00 2.2 Elimination of risk or With reference to chapters 6.4 and 6.5 of ILO CoP, ‘Safety of the Use of Slides
control measures Chemicals at Work’ and chapter 4.3 of ILO CoP ‘Ambient Factors in the HSE’s wood dust exposure video, shows changing
Workplace’ the equipment and method (brushing with broom
 Elimination: to using vacuum cleaner) reduces exposure.
o ceasing use
HSE’s concrete block cutting video showing how
o substitution for less hazardous chemical or use of the same
damping down reduces dust.
S chemical but in a different form (eg, paste, solution rather
than dusty powder) Other suitable videos from You Tube.
o alternative process
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 control:
o good design and installation practice (total enclosure;
segregation of process from workers; modify the process or
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work system so that it emits less of the hazardous substance

(eg, painting vs spraying); local exhaust ventilation with or
without partial enclosure (detail of extraction systems
covered in element IB4); general ventilation)
o work systems and practices (minimise the numbers of workers

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NEBOSH International Diploma – Unit IB International control of hazardous agents in the workplace

TIME ELEMENT/TOPIC CONTENT RESOURCE/TASK

exposed; restrict access; reduce exposure duration; regular
cleaning of contaminated surfaces; use/maintenance of
engineering controls; safe/secure storage, internal transport
and disposal)
o personal protection (provide PPE; prohibit eating, drinking,

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smoking in contaminated areas; facilities for washing,
changing, storage, laundering; signs and notices; emergency

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arrangements).
2.3 Asbestos Application of control measures for the specific case of asbestos (with reference
to Chapters 5-11 of ILO CoP ‘Safety in the Use of Asbestos’) (eg, preventative
methods, design and installation, LEV, personal protection, cleaning of premises
and plant, disposal of asbestos waste)

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