Case study part information: Tableting: In the tableting area the product makes its way through several processes, including a punch press here, pressure is applied to the product by dies to form the completed tablet. The tablets are ejected onto a vibrating belt to shake off any loose dust. The two tableting machines are particularly noisy. In this area there is along run of LEV ducting that branches to two hoods, one for each tableting machine. Some of this ducting is sagging in places and has adhesive tape wrapped around the joints. In most cases this has made the sagging worse. Nearby is the LEV dust colelctor and air cleaner unit. Workers in this area are responsible for changing the collection bags and have commented on how recently the bags are taking much longer to fill up. ALso located here is the fan for the LEV system. When the fan is running it is very difficult to have a conversation in this area. Workers are supplied with earplugs, that are not used regularly. When questioned workers frequently say that they have lost one or both of their earplugs. Several workers including worker Y have been working in the tableting ara since they joined Nutripex 18 months ago. They had all previously worked in a nearby drinks bottling plant, that was making people redundant just as Nutripex was recruiting for more production workers.

Supporting document 5 Health surveillance findings Supporting document 5

Task 4: Noise and Health Surveillance

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

b. (i) Discuss what the information in supporting document 5 shows?

(ii) Using the HSE's L 108 appendix 4 explain how the information in supporting document 5 could be used to aid decision making with a hearing health surveillance programme at Nutripex.

(iii) Use the numerical information in the shaded area of supporting document 5 and in appendex 4 of L 108 to determine the outcome of the audiometry testing for worker Y in the case study. Note: You should use simple calculations to support your answer. HSE L108 appendix 4 info below:

C. Based on the information in supporting document 5

(i) what effects on their hearing could worker Y be experiencing?

(ii) Describe the likely physical changes in the inner ears of worker Y

D. Comment on why introducing audiometry testing for some workers might be problematic for nutripex.

E. Audiometry testing may sometimes not produce an accurate representation of the effects of noise exposure on the hearing of Nutripex workers. Give reasons why this may be the case with worker Y.