Stop that noise! - Noise in focus at this year’s Work Environment Riksdag
“Three out of every four employers are found wanting in their noise prevention!”
Swedish Work Environment Authority Director-General Kenth Pettersson opened the 2005 Work Environment Riksdag by presenting the disappointing results of the Authority’s inspection campaign during the European Week for Safety and Health at Work.
This year’s Work Environment Riksdag had attracted some 150 listeners to the Main Hall of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music at Nybrokajen, Stockholm. In addition to the Authority’s own delegates, the participants also included lecturers and experts presenting their views on noise problems. The parliamentary political parties were also represented.
Noise issues have not been at the forefront of discussion lately, but they are still a very common problem. Noise accounts for 7 per cent of reported work injuries in Sweden and is the fourth commonest cause.
Kenth Pettersson said that many occupational categories were still being exposed to noise: “It’s an old problem that lives on in partly new manifestations.”
The speakers also included Anders Teljebäck, Under-Secretary of State, on government priorities for the work environment sector, and Ass. Prof, Kajsa-Mia Holgers, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, who described what goes on inside our bodies when we are subjected to noise. Tinnitus is on the increase everywhere in the population, especially among women and young persons. Elevated sound levels are not the only reason. A very important part is also played by stress.
Author Björn Rannelid has suffered from tinnitus ever since a childhood accident. The injury has affected both his life and his authorship, and he now presented a fascinating picture of the techniques he employs for coping with the sounds that dominate his life.
Birgitta Berglund of the Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, said that children’s health and learning were impaired by noise. We must start taking care of our silent environments, which are very important for our recuperation. Kim Kähäri of Sweden’s National Institute for Working Life described a project for rebuilding a Gothenburg rock club. Very many musicians have hearing problems. The project demonstrated the possibility of reducing the volume while still achieving a good concert experience.
The Work Environment Riksdag ended with question time, fielded by representatives of the parliamentary political parties.
Further information
Read earlier press release about the anti-noise campaign.
