Conference 'Stop that noise!'
Conference 'Stop that noise!' 24 October 2005
Location De Fabrique Maarssen (Utrecht)
Conference Background
European Week 2005: Stop that noise!
The European Week is an annual campaign by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work. The European Week Stop that noise! was held at the same time in all member states of the European Union from 24 to 28 October 2005. Aim of the campaign was to draw attention to exposure to loud noises and to combat the risks arising from this.
Noise
Every day millions of employees in Europe are exposed to noise, with all its accompanying risks. One in five employees in Europe has to raise his voice to be heard at least half of the work time and 7% suffer from work-related hearing disorders. Everyone who is exposed to noise runs a risk. The louder the noise and the longer the exposure, the greater the likelihood of damage.
Employers are legally obliged to protect the health and safety of their personnel at work against any form of danger resulting from excessive noise levels. It is a legal obligation to consult the personnel and to promote the involvement of employees in procedures and improvements in the area of health and safety. With their knowledge dangers can be recognised and practical solutions offered. Employee representatives play an important role in this process. Before new technologies or products can be introduced, the employees must first be consulted. Producers of machines and other equipment are also obliged to limit the noise.
Conference 'Stop that noise'
The Conference on 24 October 2005 also included the Good Practice Parade, in addition to a plenary programme in which a number of well-known speakers took part. The participants in the Good Practice Competition were able to demonstrate their good approach. The state secretary Van Hoof of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment awarded the prize to the four winners of the Good Practice Competition.
Conference programme
