'Stop that Noise!' week across Europe turns spotlight on 60 million EU workers exposed to noise
News release - 20.10.2005
The campaign marks the final run-up to the entry into force of a new EU directive aimed at containing the alarmingly heavy human and financial toll of workplace noise
An estimated one third of Europe's workers - more than 60 million people - are exposed to high levels of noise for more than a quarter of their working time. Noise-induced hearing loss is amongst the most commonly reported occupational diseases in the European Union. It is also one of the most costly, with billions of euros a year paid in compensation and in hidden costs resulting from sick leave, lower productivity and accidents due to impaired communication because of noise. The human costs are immeasurable.
'Our campaign aims to reduce the tragic human costs borne by workers and their families and at the same time improve the region’s competitiveness' explains Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. 'The Agency and its network partners in more than 30 countries will run campaigns, seminars and other activities to get the 'Stop that Noise!' message across to employers, health and safety managers and workers.'
The range of jobs and workplaces where noise can be a problem is very broad and includes farms, construction sites, classrooms, drivers, clubs and bars, musicians and call-centre staff, as well as factories and shipyards. Hearing loss can have a devastating effect on the quality of life as it usually causes social isolation. And noise at work can also increase work-related stress, the risk of accidents and even harm a worker's unborn child.
To protect workers, the new EU directive that comes into force in all Member States in February 2006, sets a daily noise exposure limit of 87dB(A) and requires that 'the risks arising from exposure to noise shall be eliminated at their source or reduced to a minimum'.
From 24 to 28 October numerous awareness-raising campaigns, events and conferences on noise at work across Europe will take place as part of the European Week 2005 for Safety and Health at Work. The campaign is underpinned by a range of printed and online information, including the latest report ‘Reducing the risks from occupational noise’. In addition, businesses and occupational safety organisations are invited to sign an online campaign charter to demonstrate their commitment to more effective noise management.
Full details can be found at the special European Week 2005 website at http://ew2005.osha.europa.eu.
Ends
Press enquiries:
Marek Kosarczyn, Press Officer, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, email: kosarczyn@osha.europa.eu, tel: +34 94 479 43 86.
Other enquiries:
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain,
email: information@osha.europa.eu, fax: +34 94 479 4383.
Notes to editors:
1. Contact details of national coordinators of the European Week 2005 are available at http://ew2005.osha.europa.eu/nationalcontactsandactivities/.
2. Complete information pack on noise at work is available in the campaign's online press office at http://ew2005.osha.europa.eu/pressroom/.
3. The European Noise at Work Summit will take place on 12 December 2005 in Bilbao, Spain, as the closing event for the European Week campaign. This major European conference will bring together health and safety experts, practitioners, and policymakers from across Europe to discuss challenges and future strategies for a better control of noise at work.
4. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work was set up by the European Union to help meet the information needs in the field of occupational safety and health. Based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency aims to improve the lives of people at work by stimulating the flow of technical, scientific and economic information between all those involved in occupational safety and health issues.
'Our campaign aims to reduce the tragic human costs borne by workers and their families and at the same time improve the region’s competitiveness' explains Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Director of the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. 'The Agency and its network partners in more than 30 countries will run campaigns, seminars and other activities to get the 'Stop that Noise!' message across to employers, health and safety managers and workers.'
The range of jobs and workplaces where noise can be a problem is very broad and includes farms, construction sites, classrooms, drivers, clubs and bars, musicians and call-centre staff, as well as factories and shipyards. Hearing loss can have a devastating effect on the quality of life as it usually causes social isolation. And noise at work can also increase work-related stress, the risk of accidents and even harm a worker's unborn child.
To protect workers, the new EU directive that comes into force in all Member States in February 2006, sets a daily noise exposure limit of 87dB(A) and requires that 'the risks arising from exposure to noise shall be eliminated at their source or reduced to a minimum'.
From 24 to 28 October numerous awareness-raising campaigns, events and conferences on noise at work across Europe will take place as part of the European Week 2005 for Safety and Health at Work. The campaign is underpinned by a range of printed and online information, including the latest report ‘Reducing the risks from occupational noise’. In addition, businesses and occupational safety organisations are invited to sign an online campaign charter to demonstrate their commitment to more effective noise management.
Full details can be found at the special European Week 2005 website at http://ew2005.osha.europa.eu.
Ends
Press enquiries:
Marek Kosarczyn, Press Officer, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, email: kosarczyn@osha.europa.eu, tel: +34 94 479 43 86.
Other enquiries:
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, Gran Via 33, E-48009 Bilbao, Spain,
email: information@osha.europa.eu, fax: +34 94 479 4383.
Notes to editors:
1. Contact details of national coordinators of the European Week 2005 are available at http://ew2005.osha.europa.eu/nationalcontactsandactivities/.
2. Complete information pack on noise at work is available in the campaign's online press office at http://ew2005.osha.europa.eu/pressroom/.
3. The European Noise at Work Summit will take place on 12 December 2005 in Bilbao, Spain, as the closing event for the European Week campaign. This major European conference will bring together health and safety experts, practitioners, and policymakers from across Europe to discuss challenges and future strategies for a better control of noise at work.
4. The European Agency for Safety and Health at Work was set up by the European Union to help meet the information needs in the field of occupational safety and health. Based in Bilbao, Spain, the Agency aims to improve the lives of people at work by stimulating the flow of technical, scientific and economic information between all those involved in occupational safety and health issues.
