(a) Suggest reasons why audiometry testing has been recommended for workers in the tableting department at Nutripex

The PM has taken some noise readings at various points within the tableting area, as part of a risk assessment. This has never been done before. Noise levels have been found to be between 84 dB(A) and 86 dB(A). Because of these findings the human resources (HR) manager engaged a consultant from Healthy and Safe (HaS) to carry out more detailed noise measurements and advise on noise reduction methods and a health surveillance programme. Based on HaSs recommendations, the HR manager is introducing audiometry testing for all existing workers in the tableting department and any new workers going forward. Workers remain concerned about the levels of dust, so Nutripex have decided to engage an Occupational Hygienist (OH) to help review exposure of workers to vitamin C powder and other raw materials. Some initial results of the OHs work are given in supporting document 1. In the last couple of weeks there have been frequent alarms on the LEV control panel. As a result of this, the PM arranged for a thorough inspection and test (TExT) of the LEV, which has just been completed by a competent external contractor, AirTest. The PM is looking through the results and recommendations in AirTests report. One of the recommendations is to change the current design of the LEV at the charging point where raw materials are added to the mixing machines. The PM and HR manager have now met with the OH to go through the dust exposure measurements and decide what to do next. The OH agrees that the LEV design change recommended by AirTest would be helpful, but understands that this will take some time. In the meantime, the OH is concerned about the levels of dust exposure and recommends that workers handling vitamin C powder should wear tight-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE). The OH has made recommendations about the specific type of RPE and the PM says that they will help ensure that it is used, just as soon as it arrives from the supplier