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VCE VET Engineering Studies study materials
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VCE VET Engineering Studies practice questions

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Question 1Workplace safety and environmental practices

Which document must an employer prepare to identify hazards in a workplace and record how the risks will be controlled?

  1. A purchase order
  2. A delivery docket
  3. A payroll summary
  4. A risk assessment Correct answer.

Explanation

A risk assessment is the formal record of hazard identification, risk evaluation and the control measures chosen. It is a core duty under work health and safety law and should be reviewed when tasks or equipment change.

Question 2Workplace safety and environmental practices

In the hierarchy of control, which measure ranks highest and should be tried first?

  1. Rotating workers between tasks
  2. Adding warning signs
  3. Issuing personal protective equipment
  4. Eliminating the hazard Correct answer.

Explanation

The hierarchy of control places elimination at the top because removing the hazard entirely removes the risk. Lower-order measures such as administrative controls and personal protective equipment rely on human behaviour and are less reliable.

Question 3Workplace safety and environmental practices

A worker is about to use an angle grinder when a small crack is found in the cutting disc. What is the correct immediate action?

  1. Wear a face shield and continue the task
  2. Turn the disc around and continue using it
  3. Fit the disc and reduce the grinding speed
  4. Tag the grinder out of service and report the damaged disc Correct answer.

Explanation

Damaged abrasive discs can shatter at operating speed and cause serious injury, so the equipment must be isolated and tagged out of service. The fault must be reported so the disc is replaced and the cause investigated.

Question 4Workplace safety and environmental practices

Which class of fire extinguisher is suitable for a fire involving energised electrical equipment?

  1. Wet chemical
  2. Carbon dioxide Correct answer.
  3. Foam
  4. Water

Explanation

Carbon dioxide extinguishers are non-conductive and leave no residue, making them suitable for electrical fires. Water, foam and wet chemical agents conduct electricity and can cause electrocution if applied to energised equipment.

Question 5Workplace safety and environmental practices

What does a safety data sheet provide to a worker handling a hazardous chemical?

  1. The supplier's profit margin
  2. Hazard information and safe handling instructions Correct answer.
  3. The workshop floor plan
  4. The employee's training record

Explanation

A safety data sheet sets out the hazards of a chemical, first aid measures, storage requirements and required protective equipment. Workers must be able to access it in the workplace whenever the chemical is stored or used.

Question 6Workplace safety and environmental practices

Which practice best prevents the spread of hand injuries caused by sharp metal offcuts in a workshop?

  1. Stacking offcuts loosely near the walkway
  2. Sweeping offcuts into a general waste bag by hand
  3. Leaving offcuts on the bench for the next shift
  4. Placing offcuts in a designated scrap bin with gloves and tongs Correct answer.

Explanation

Handling sharp offcuts with gloves and tongs and placing them directly into a designated bin removes the cut hazard at the source. Leaving sharps loose creates ongoing laceration risks for everyone in the area.

Question 7Workplace safety and environmental practices

What is the main purpose of lockout and tagout procedures before maintenance on machinery?

  1. To identify which worker owns the tool kit
  2. To isolate energy sources and prevent unexpected start-up Correct answer.
  3. To record the maintenance hours for billing
  4. To speed up the repair by keeping the machine running

Explanation

Lockout and tagout isolate all energy sources and physically prevent the machine from being energised during maintenance. This protects workers from unexpected start-up and from stored energy such as compressed springs or hydraulics.

Question 8Workplace safety and environmental practices

A worker must lift a heavy steel plate from floor level. Which technique reduces the risk of back injury?

  1. Bend the knees, keep the load close and lift smoothly Correct answer.
  2. Keep the legs straight and jerk the load upward
  3. Hold the load at arm's length and lift quickly
  4. Bend at the waist and twist while lifting

Explanation

Bending the knees and keeping the load close to the body reduces the bending moment on the lower spine. Lifting smoothly avoids sudden forces, and twisting should be avoided because it loads the discs unevenly.

Question 9Workplace safety and environmental practices

A worker notices that a machine guard has been removed and the machine is still running. Which action best reflects the duty to report hazards?

  1. Ask a workmate to hold a barrier while the machine runs
  2. Stop the machine if safe, then report the missing guard to the supervisor Correct answer.
  3. Continue working and mention it at the end of the week
  4. Place a handwritten note on the machine and walk away

Explanation

Any hazard that could cause serious harm must be reported promptly, and the machine should be stopped if this can be done safely. A missing guard exposes workers to entanglement and crushing hazards that require immediate action.

Question 10Workplace safety and environmental practices

Which is an example of an engineering control for reducing noise exposure from a fixed compressor?

  1. Limiting each operator to two hours near the compressor
  2. Posting a hearing protection sign
  3. Enclosing the compressor in a soundproof housing Correct answer.
  4. Issuing earplugs to operators

Explanation

Engineering controls modify the plant or the environment itself, and a soundproof enclosure reduces noise at its source. Earplugs, time limits and signage are lower-order controls that rely on worker behaviour.

Question 11Workplace safety and environmental practices

What is the correct way to store compressed gas cylinders in a workshop?

  1. Laid horizontally under a bench to save space
  2. Upright, secured with a chain or strap, and separated by gas type Correct answer.
  3. Stored loose near an exit so they can be moved quickly
  4. Grouped together with oxygen and fuel gas cylinders touching

Explanation

Cylinders should stand upright and be restrained so they cannot fall and shear the valve. Fuel gas and oxidising gases such as oxygen must be separated to prevent a fire or explosion if a leak occurs.

Question 12Workplace safety and environmental practices

A risk assessment scores a task as high risk because of a poorly guarded press. What should happen next?

  1. Accept the risk because production must continue
  2. Record the score and take no further action
  3. Reduce the score by changing the rating scale
  4. Implement a higher-order control and reassess the risk Correct answer.

Explanation

A high risk requires action using the highest practical control, such as fixed guarding or interlocks, followed by reassessment to confirm the risk is reduced. Changing the rating scale or ignoring the result does not make the task safer.

Question 13Workplace safety and environmental practices

Which environmental practice best reduces contamination of stormwater from a metal fabrication workshop?

  1. Storing waste oil drums uncovered outdoors
  2. Pouring used coolant onto the gravel yard
  3. Hosing metal dust and coolant into the street drain
  4. Bunding chemical storage and covering workshop drains Correct answer.

Explanation

Bunding contains spills around chemical storage, and covering or sealing drains prevents pollutants from reaching stormwater. Stormwater is generally untreated, so contaminants that enter it flow directly to waterways.

Question 14Workplace safety and environmental practices

A worker is welding in a confined space. Which control is essential before entry?

  1. Atmospheric testing and a standby person outside the space Correct answer.
  2. Adequate general lighting in the workshop
  3. A portable radio for entertainment
  4. Opening the space only after entry begins

Explanation

Confined spaces can contain oxygen deficiency or toxic gases, so the atmosphere must be tested before entry and monitored during work. A standby person outside maintains communication and can raise the alarm or assist in an emergency.

Question 15Workplace safety and environmental practices

Why is a residual current device used on portable electrical tools in a workshop?

  1. It increases the voltage to improve tool performance
  2. It stores energy so the tool runs without a lead
  3. It disconnects the supply when it detects a leakage current to earth Correct answer.
  4. It converts alternating current into compressed air

Explanation

A residual current device monitors the current balance and trips quickly when leakage to earth is detected. This limits the duration of an electric shock and reduces the risk of fatal injury from faulty tools or damaged leads.

Question 16Workplace safety and environmental practices

Which is the most reliable way to confirm that a new worker can safely operate a pedestal drill?

  1. Observe the worker performing the task under supervision Correct answer.
  2. Ask the worker to read the manual alone
  3. Rely on the worker's previous job title
  4. Assume competence because the worker is experienced

Explanation

Competence is demonstrated through observed performance of the actual task, including correct setup, guarding and shutdown. Reading alone or relying on job titles does not confirm practical skill or awareness of site-specific hazards.

Question 17Workplace safety and environmental practices

Which personal protective equipment is required when handling molten metal in a foundry area?

  1. A high-visibility vest and cotton gloves
  2. A face shield, heat-resistant apron and leggings Correct answer.
  3. Safety glasses and open-toed sandals
  4. A dust mask and a long-sleeved shirt only

Explanation

Molten metal splashes can cause severe burns, so a face shield, heat-resistant apron and leggings protect the face, torso and legs. Clothing must also resist ignition and shed spatter rather than trap it.

Question 18Workplace safety and environmental practices

A workshop stores several drums of solvent. Which combination of controls best manages both fire risk and environmental risk?

  1. A wooden cupboard with a warning sign on the door
  2. Open shelving near a walkway with a fire blanket nearby
  3. A flammable liquids cabinet with spill containment on a bunded floor Correct answer.
  4. Storage under a workbench beside a welding bay

Explanation

A flammable liquids cabinet limits vapour ignition and fire spread, while spill containment and bunding prevent solvent from reaching drains or soil. Combining controls addresses both the safety and environmental risks of the same hazard.

Question 19Workplace safety and environmental practices

A worker develops a repetitive strain injury from prolonged use of a hand tool. Which change is the highest-order control?

  1. Rotate the worker to a different task each hour
  2. Train the worker in stretching exercises
  3. Replace the tool with a powered or ergonomic alternative Correct answer.
  4. Provide a wrist brace

Explanation

Changing the tool design or powering the task removes the repetitive force at its source and ranks as an engineering control. Rotation, braces and exercises are administrative or personal measures that do not eliminate the cause.

Question 20Workplace safety and environmental practices

During a risk assessment, which pair of factors is used to determine the level of risk for a hazard?

  1. Age of the machine and its colour
  2. Number of supervisors and shift length
  3. Likelihood of occurrence and severity of harm Correct answer.
  4. Cost of the control and time to install it

Explanation

Risk is judged by combining how likely an incident is with how severe the resulting harm would be. A frequent minor hazard and a rare catastrophic hazard can therefore both require significant controls.

Question 21Workplace safety and environmental practices

A worker finds a colleague collapsed inside a confined space. What is the correct emergency response?

  1. Ventilate the space and wait for the colleague to recover
  2. Raise the alarm and follow the rescue plan without entering unprotected Correct answer.
  3. Send a second worker in without breathing apparatus
  4. Enter immediately and pull the colleague out

Explanation

Most confined space fatalities involve would-be rescuers who enter without protection and are overcome by the same atmosphere. The correct response is to raise the alarm and use trained rescuers with breathing apparatus under the rescue plan.

Question 22Workplace safety and environmental practices

Why is dilution ventilation alone often inadequate for controlling solvent vapour in a small enclosed workshop?

  1. It eliminates the need for ignition controls
  2. It permanently destroys the solvent
  3. It removes all vapours regardless of quantity
  4. It may not keep vapour concentrations below exposure limits near the source Correct answer.

Explanation

Dilution ventilation relies on mixing large volumes of air, so concentrations can remain high close to the source where workers breathe. Local exhaust ventilation captures vapour at the source and is the preferred engineering control.

Question 23Workplace safety and environmental practices

A workshop introduces a new abrasive blasting process. Which approach best reflects the principle of safe design before the process begins?

  1. Rely on respirators as the only control measure
  2. Design the enclosure and dust extraction before commissioning the process Correct answer.
  3. Allow workers to decide individually whether to use controls
  4. Start production and add controls if workers complain

Explanation

Safe design means eliminating or minimising hazards at the planning stage, when engineering controls can be built into the plant. Retrofitting controls after exposure begins leaves workers at risk in the interim.

Question 24Workplace safety and environmental practices

Which action best demonstrates the environmental duty to minimise waste in a fabrication workshop?

  1. Burn offcuts in an open drum behind the workshop
  2. Store waste in unlabelled containers indefinitely
  3. Segregate metal offcuts for recycling and reuse usable remnants Correct answer.
  4. Mix all waste in one bin for convenience

Explanation

Segregating offcuts allows usable remnants to be reused and the remainder to be recycled, reducing landfill and raw material demand. Mixing, burning or indefinite storage creates pollution and compliance problems.

Question 25Workplace safety and environmental practices

Which statement correctly describes the role of a workplace health and safety representative?

  1. They have authority to override engineering decisions made by managers
  2. They consult with workers and raise safety issues with the employer Correct answer.
  3. They replace the need for a documented risk assessment
  4. They are personally liable for all workplace injuries

Explanation

A health and safety representative represents workers on safety matters, consults with them and raises issues with the employer. The role supports consultation and does not transfer the employer's duties or liability.

Question 26Workplace safety and environmental practices

Under Australian work health and safety law, what is the primary duty of a person conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) toward workers?

  1. To transfer all safety responsibility to each individual worker through signed agreements
  2. To ensure the health and safety of workers so far as is reasonably practicable Correct answer.
  3. To provide the highest possible level of protection regardless of cost or practicality
  4. To guarantee that no worker will ever be injured on the premises

Explanation

The model work health and safety legislation imposes a primary duty on the PCBU to ensure health and safety so far as is reasonably practicable. This standard weighs the likelihood and severity of harm against what is known and what is feasible to control, rather than demanding absolute or cost-blind protection.

Question 27Workplace safety and environmental practices

A worker in a fabrication workshop is about to use an angle grinder that produces sparks and fine metal dust. Which control is the most appropriate first step to protect nearby workers from the dust?

  1. Isolate the task with a screen or enclosure at the source and use local exhaust ventilation Correct answer.
  2. Place a general exhaust fan on the far wall of the workshop
  3. Provide disposable dust masks to everyone in the workshop
  4. Ask nearby workers to stand further away while grinding continues

Explanation

Controls should be applied in a hierarchy, with engineering controls that act at the source preferred over administrative measures and personal protective equipment. Capturing dust at the point of generation with extraction and a screen stops it spreading into the breathing zone of others. PPE and distance are lower-order measures that rely on human behaviour and do not remove the hazard.

Question 28Workplace safety and environmental practices

A workshop uses a degreasing solvent in an open tray. Which change represents the highest-order control for reducing worker exposure to solvent vapour?

  1. Opening more windows and doors during degreasing tasks
  2. Issuing respirators and training workers to fit them correctly
  3. Replacing the solvent with a low-vapour-pressure aqueous cleaner Correct answer.
  4. Rotating workers so each person spends less time at the tray

Explanation

Eliminating or substituting the hazardous agent is the highest-order control in the hierarchy because it removes the risk at its source. A cleaner with low vapour pressure releases far less vapour, so exposure is reduced without relying on behaviour or equipment. PPE, rotation and natural ventilation are lower-order measures that leave the hazard present.

Question 29Workplace safety and environmental practices

A workshop must dispose of used oil-contaminated rags and a drum of waste solvent. Which arrangement best reflects environmental duty of care?

  1. Seal both in general waste bins so they leave the site quickly
  2. Leave the drum open near the boundary fence so it can evaporate
  3. Pour the solvent into the workshop drain and bury the rags on site
  4. Store each waste stream in labelled, lidded containers and consign them through a licensed waste contractor Correct answer.

Explanation

Waste that is hazardous or contaminated must be contained, labelled and tracked through a licensed carrier so it reaches an approved facility. This prevents soil, stormwater and sewer contamination and provides the documentation required by environmental regulators. General waste, drains and open evaporation all allow pollutants to escape into the environment.

Question 30Workplace safety and environmental practices

A small workshop has repeated minor hand injuries near a manual press. Data show injuries cluster at the end of shifts and after changeovers. Which response best reflects a systematic approach to managing this hazard?

  1. Post a warning sign at the press reminding operators to be careful
  2. Investigate the tasks and conditions associated with the clusters, then revise the guarding and changeover procedure and monitor the results Correct answer.
  3. Retrain the injured workers on the existing procedure and record the incidents
  4. Increase the frequency of toolbox talks about hand safety at the press

Explanation

A systematic approach identifies the pattern behind incidents, addresses underlying causes through higher-order controls such as guarding and procedure design, and then checks whether the change worked. Clustering at changeovers points to a task or design problem rather than individual carelessness. Retraining, signs and talks are administrative measures that leave the underlying hazard unchanged.

Question 31Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

Which hand tool is designed to hold a workpiece securely while it is being filed or drilled?

  1. A cold chisel
  2. A centre punch
  3. A ball-peen hammer
  4. A bench vice Correct answer.

Explanation

A bench vice clamps a workpiece between two jaws so it stays fixed during hand operations such as filing, sawing and drilling. The other listed tools are used for cutting, striking or marking, not for holding work.

Question 32Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

What is the main purpose of a centre punch when preparing a metal workpiece for drilling?

  1. To remove burrs from a drilled edge
  2. To enlarge an existing hole to its final diameter
  3. To create a small indentation that guides the drill point Correct answer.
  4. To cut internal threads into a hole

Explanation

A centre punch is struck to form a small conical dimple at the marked position, which stops the drill bit wandering when it first contacts the surface. It does not size, thread or deburr holes.

Question 33Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

A hacksaw is being used to cut a steel rod. Which blade selection is most appropriate?

  1. A blade with 18 teeth per 25 mm for solid rod Correct answer.
  2. A blade with 32 teeth per 25 mm for thick solid rod
  3. A blade with 4 teeth per 25 mm for solid rod
  4. A blade with 32 teeth per 25 mm for thin-walled tube

Explanation

A medium-pitch blade of about 18 teeth per 25 mm suits solid steel rod, giving good chip clearance and a controlled cut. Fine 32-tooth blades suit thin sections, and very coarse blades are intended for soft materials.

Question 34Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

Which measuring instrument is best suited to measuring the outside diameter of a small shaft to a precision of 0.01 mm?

  1. A steel rule
  2. A vernier caliper
  3. A try square
  4. A micrometer Correct answer.

Explanation

An outside micrometer reads directly to 0.01 mm with a vernier or digital scale and is designed for accurate measurement of cylindrical outside diameters. A steel rule is far too coarse and a try square checks squareness only.

Question 35Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

On a metric vernier caliper, the main scale is marked in millimetres and the vernier has 50 divisions. What is the least count of the instrument?

  1. 0.02 mm Correct answer.
  2. 0.10 mm
  3. 0.05 mm
  4. 0.01 mm

Explanation

The least count equals one main-scale division divided by the number of vernier divisions, so 1 mm divided by 50 gives 0.02 mm. Instruments with 20 vernier divisions give 0.05 mm and those with 10 give 0.10 mm.

Question 36Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

A micrometer reading shows 7.5 mm on the sleeve and 22 divisions on the thimble, with a thimble graduation of 0.01 mm. What is the measured size?

  1. 7.50 mm
  2. 7.72 mm Correct answer.
  3. 7.52 mm
  4. 9.72 mm

Explanation

The sleeve gives the whole and half millimetres (7.5 mm) and the thimble adds 22 × 0.01 mm = 0.22 mm. Adding these gives 7.72 mm as the total reading.

Question 37Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

Which machine tool is primarily used to produce flat surfaces and accurate right-angled edges on a metal block?

  1. A bench grinder
  2. A lathe
  3. A shaping machine Correct answer.
  4. A pedestal drill

Explanation

A shaping machine drives a single-point tool in a reciprocating motion to generate flat surfaces and square edges. The drill makes holes, the grinder sharpens tools, and the lathe produces cylindrical forms.

Question 38Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

In a centre lathe, which component is used to hold and rotate the workpiece?

  1. The carriage
  2. The headstock spindle Correct answer.
  3. The tailstock
  4. The compound slide

Explanation

The headstock spindle is driven by the motor and carries the chuck or faceplate that grips and rotates the workpiece. The tailstock supports long work, while the carriage and compound slide move the cutting tool.

Question 39Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

What is the main function of the tailstock on a centre lathe?

  1. To support the end of a long workpiece with a centre Correct answer.
  2. To feed the tool along the bed
  3. To select the spindle speed
  4. To hold the cutting tool during turning

Explanation

The tailstock slides along the bed and can hold a dead or live centre to support the free end of a long workpiece, preventing deflection. It may also hold a drill for axial operations.

Question 40Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

Which drill type is designed for drilling deep, accurate holes in hard steel on a drilling machine?

  1. A spade drill
  2. A hole saw
  3. A masonry drill
  4. A twist drill Correct answer.

Explanation

A twist drill has helical flutes that clear chips and a hardened point suited to cutting metal accurately. Spade drills are for large shallow holes, hole saws cut large discs, and masonry drills suit brick and concrete.

Question 41Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

What is the purpose of using cutting fluid when drilling steel?

  1. To clean the machine table after use
  2. To cool the work and lubricate the cutting action Correct answer.
  3. To increase the hardness of the drill bit
  4. To act as a marking medium

Explanation

Cutting fluid removes heat from the drill point and reduces friction between the tool and workpiece, extending tool life and improving finish. It does not harden the tool or serve as marking or cleaning media.

Question 42Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

A twist drill is to be used on a mild steel plate. Which cutting speed range is most appropriate for a high-speed steel drill?

  1. About 1000 m/min
  2. About 5 m/min
  3. About 25 m/min Correct answer.
  4. About 250 m/min

Explanation

High-speed steel drills cutting mild steel typically run at roughly 20 to 30 m/min surface speed. Speeds far lower waste time, while very high speeds overheat and blunt the drill.

Question 43Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

Which safety precaution is essential before changing a drill bit in a pedestal drill chuck?

  1. Switch off and isolate the machine from power Correct answer.
  2. Remove the safety guard
  3. Loosen the vice from the table
  4. Increase the spindle speed to maximum

Explanation

Power must be isolated before any work is done near the rotating parts, preventing accidental start-up while hands are at the chuck. Guards should stay in place and the vice should remain secured.

Question 44Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

What is the correct procedure for safely removing a sharp burr from a freshly cut metal edge?

  1. Run a gloved hand along the edge to feel for it
  2. Strike the edge with a ball-peen hammer
  3. Force the edge against a grinding wheel at high speed
  4. File the edge with a smooth file in a controlled motion Correct answer.

Explanation

Burrs are removed by controlled filing or deburring with the work clamped securely, keeping hands clear of the sharp edge. Feeling an edge with a gloved hand can cause cuts through the glove.

Question 45Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

Which personal protective equipment is most important when using a pedestal grinder?

  1. Safety glasses or a face shield Correct answer.
  2. Ear defenders only
  3. Steel-capped boots only
  4. A dust mask only

Explanation

A grinder throws sparks and fragments of abrasive and metal at high speed, so eye and face protection is the primary requirement. Other PPE may be relevant but does not replace eye protection.

Question 46Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

A pedestal grinder's tool rest should be set at what maximum distance from the wheel face?

  1. About 25 mm
  2. About 3 mm Correct answer.
  3. About 1 mm
  4. About 10 mm

Explanation

The tool rest should be kept close to the wheel, typically no more than about 3 mm, so that the workpiece cannot be drawn into the gap. Larger gaps increase the risk of the work being pulled between the rest and the wheel.

Question 47Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

Which of these is a correct use of a bench grinder?

  1. Removing the guard to reach awkward shapes
  2. Grinding aluminium until the wheel loads
  3. Sharpening a twist drill using the tool rest Correct answer.
  4. Grinding on the side face of a straight wheel

Explanation

Twist drills are sharpened by presenting them to the wheel face with the tool rest supporting the tool. Side grinding of a straight wheel, loading the wheel with soft metal, and removing guards are all unsafe practices.

Question 48Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

What is the purpose of a file's cross-cut (double-cut) pattern compared with a single-cut pattern?

  1. It prevents the file from cutting metal at all
  2. It produces a smoother finish with slower cutting
  3. It allows the file to cut only on the pull stroke
  4. It removes material faster with a rougher finish Correct answer.

Explanation

Double-cut files have two sets of teeth crossing each other, producing smaller chips and faster stock removal with a rougher surface. Single-cut files give a smoother finish and are used for finishing work.

Question 49Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

Which tool would be used to cut an external thread on a steel rod?

  1. A die Correct answer.
  2. A countersink
  3. A reamer
  4. A tap

Explanation

A die is held in a die stock and cuts external threads on a rod or bolt. Taps cut internal threads, reamers size holes, and countersinks chamfer hole edges.

Question 50Engineering tools, equipment and machinery

When tapping an internal thread by hand, why should the tap be backed off a quarter turn periodically?

  1. To break the chips and prevent the tap jamming Correct answer.
  2. To harden the threads already cut
  3. To increase the thread pitch
  4. To change the thread from coarse to fine

Explanation

Backing off breaks the continuous chip and relieves pressure on the tap, reducing the risk of jamming or breakage. The pitch is fixed by the tap and is unaffected by this action.