Health and Safety in Manufacturing: What Should We Check for New Hires and Noise Levels?

Dear Sirs/Madam,

I work for a plastic food packaging manufacturer. We are ISO 9000 and 22000 certified. Can you please guide me on what health specifications we should specify for new recruits to our organization?

Additionally, could you please provide me with information on the permissible noise levels in the plant?

Thank you.

Under the Factories Act, the permissible noise level for exposure of 8 hours is 90 dB, but the cut-off level should be 85 dB. If your workers are exposed to a noise level higher than 90 dB for eight hours, you should conduct a periodic check-up once a year for audiometry.

You should include an audiometry test for new recruits who are supposed to be exposed to the noise to establish baseline data. For routine pre-employment check-ups, you should send them to an occupational health physician. Standard tests include:

- CBC/ESR
- Blood group
- Serum creatinine
- SGPT
- RBS
- Urine routine and microscopy
- ECG (for individuals above 35 years of age)
- Stool culture for S. typhi (for direct food handlers)
- X-ray chest PA

Your occupational health physician may make modifications according to the needs of the organization and the placement of the employee.

@jnpereira

Thanks for raising this question on the forum. It's helpful for me to learn as well.

@Dr. Sanjay

Thanks for your valuable input.

@ All

I am attaching a file containing clauses from the Maharashtra Factories Rules on "Operations Involving High Noise Levels." Table 2 in the attachment is too complex to understand. Can anyone help me in clearly understanding the same? The sum of fractions, the calculations, and all... Do these values in the table play a role in selecting the Ear Protectors?

To make it simple, follow my first comment. Ear protection is selected based on the exposure level and duration of exposure. In a simple way, if the exposure level is very high, use ear muffs. If the level is moderately high, use ear plugs. Don't go into too much detail, or you will be confused.

Thank you.