This involves breathing forcefully into a tube. One of the tasks of the training is to explain to workers the importance of the test. What is a ventilometer, what does it measure and other aspects. Asthmatic workers are given a broncho-dilator spray and are checked again with the ventilometer. This exercise has been rendered easier due to the ventilometer given by PRIA for the purpose of these training sessions.
Medical certificates are prepared if the tests or symptoms indicate byssinosis or asthma or both.
Doctor Murlidhar meets the worker-patients and only then is a certificate given. Workers with hearing problems are asked a special set of questions. As in Byssinosis, this is an important part of getting trained in giving occupational history. The Blue Star Workers Federation provides this space. The audiometer is bought with contributions from several unions and sympathetic individuals and is kept in the Blue Star Union office.