The Impact of Occupational Noise on the Workers. Romanian and EU Legislation
Résumé
Noise is most obviously a problem in industries such as manufacturing,
mining and construction but it can also be an issue in a wide range of other
working environments like energy, transports, call centers, schools,
orchestra pits, bars and restaurants, entertainment. At the same time, the
noise pollution is an element with a very important influence on the human
life: in rezidential areas, schools, public institutions, hospitals,
entertainment areas). About the impact of the noise at work, one in five of
Europe’s workers has to raise their voices to be heard for at least half of
the time that they are at work and 7% suffer from work-related hearing
difficulties. The most well-known effect of noise at work is loss of hearing,
a problem observed among handworkers from beginning of 18-th century.
Noise-induced hearing loss is the most common reported occupational
disease in the European Union. However, it can also ex-acerbate stress and
increase the risk of accidents. Exposure to noise at work can harm
workers’ health. This article describes the effects of workplace noise and
outlines the key issues surrounding noise at work, including the risks, legal
responsibilities and solutions.
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