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Implementation of Noise Directive in Latvia

Implementation of Noise Directive in Latvia. Linda Matisāne Head of Occupational Health and Safety Division JSC “IBNA” lm@ibna.lv www.ibna.lv. Latvia. Number of inhabitants 2 299 6 00 Number of official workers 1 0 2 8 2 00 Unemployment rate - 7.8% Number of companies ~ 14 0 000.

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Implementation of Noise Directive in Latvia

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  1. Implementation of Noise Directive in Latvia Linda Matisāne Head of Occupational Health and Safety Division JSC “IBNA” lm@ibna.lv www.ibna.lv

  2. Latvia Number of inhabitants 2299600 Number of official workers 1 028 200 Unemployment rate - 7.8% Number of companies ~ 140000

  3. Main industries • Woodworking and processing • Construction and building works • Metal works • Processing of agricultural and fish products • Textile industry

  4. Soviet times Today Average size of companies Big Small and medium Financing of occupational health care State budget Company Health care centres All big enterprises Several big enterprises Control of work environment Sanitary-epidemiological stations • Non-systematic: • Internal • External Historical overview and current situation of OH&S

  5. No average situation

  6. No average situation

  7. No average situation

  8. Number of occupational diseases per 100.000 employees, Latvia, 1993-2004

  9. New cases of occupational hearing loss per 100.000 employees

  10. Number of injured employees per 100.000 employees, Latvia, 1995-2004

  11. Legal background Turning point: 01.01.2002. Major changes from 1998 when transposition of the EU OH&S Directives started The legal framework of the OH&S system: • set up by the Labour Protection Law (in force since 1 January 2002) • the law transposes the requirements and principles of EU Framework Directive on safety and health at work • huge number of regulations of the Cabinet of Ministers (including noise and vibration directives)

  12. Noise Regulations Cabinet Regulations no.66 “Labour Protection Requirements for Protection of Employees from the Risk Caused by the Noise of the Work Environment” (13.12.2002, transition period 01.07.2004.)

  13. A good legal basis - but no ready answer HOW TO DO IT?

  14. Noise risk asessment - basics • If in the inspection of workplaces it has been determined that noise causes or may cause a risk to the safety and health of an employee, the employer shall provide noise measurements and assessment or risk caused by noise. • Allowed to be performed by : • Experts certified by the Latvian Acoustic Association • Accredited laboratories

  15. You have to measure noise! You cannot use results of another company! You have to measure in your own company!

  16. Minimal and maximal noise levels in Latvia, 2002 - 2005

  17. Results of noise measurements * 2005 (January – August)

  18. Main problems of risk assessment • Lack of training materials and courses – what to do when we have results of measurements? • Lack of knowledge on practical implementation of risk assessment: • What if noise is more than 87 dB(A), but length of exposure – 1-2 hours? • What if we have noise and we work with ototoxic chemicals?

  19. One practical example – noise calculators(to calculate daily noise exposure level)

  20. Noise calculators - results

  21. What we have to do if there is noise?

  22. Main problems related to noise • Lack of information and low awareness of requirements • Low level of awareness of health effects caused by noise (both employers and employees) • Insufficient control and supervision: • employer • the State Labour Inspection (capacity, knowledge etc.)

  23. Main problems related to noise • Health surveillance of employees is separated from occupational health and safety • Insufficient number of work environment measurements • Insufficient use of collective protective measures • Occupational health and safety is not regarded as an integral part of a company

  24. Thanks for your attention!

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