OHST Practice Exam

Which of the following techniques would be the preferred control method for preventing exposure to a hazardous noise exposure?

1. Control employee work hours to reduce exposure time

2. Engineer a less hazardous environment

3. Provide protective equipment

4. Automate the process to reduce worker interaction

The correct answer is: Engineer a less hazardous environment

The preferred control method for preventing exposure to hazardous noise is to engineer a less hazardous environment. This approach falls under the hierarchy of controls, which prioritizes eliminating or mitigating hazards at their source before relying on personal protective equipment or administrative controls. By engineering a less hazardous environment, effective modifications can be made to the equipment, processes, or layout of the workspace that inherently reduce noise levels or the exposure to noise. Examples of this include using quieter machinery, installing sound-dampening materials, and designing workstations that minimize noise exposure. Such approaches not only protect workers but also promote a safer and healthier work environment overall. Other techniques, while beneficial, do not address the root cause of the noise exposure as effectively as engineering controls. For instance, controlling employee work hours can limit duration of exposure, but it does not eliminate the hazard itself. Providing protective equipment helps protect individual workers, yet does not reduce the noise at the source and relies on employees consistently using the equipment properly. Automating processes may limit worker interaction, thereby reducing exposure, but it may not be feasible in all situations and does not address the hazard at its source. Hence, engineering controls that lessen the noise at the source are recognized as the most effective means of protecting workers from hazardous noise exposure.