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29 April 2005 - New 2006 EU Directive Aims
to Reduce Noise Level of Nursery Toys
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The new EU Directive 2002/49/EC due to come into force in
February 2006, not only aims to reduce noise levels within the more obvious
areas such as steel works and shipyards, but will include the level of noisy
toys within primary schools, nurseries, day care centres and playgroups.
The new Directive requirement will have a maximum level of 86
decibels, with anything above requiring noise level risk assessments.
Managers and owners of such establishments will face criminal
proceedings under the new Directive, if they fail to take action to reduce the
noise level.
Some of the measures which may be taken to minimise the noisy
toys are as follows:
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Fitting of acoustic ceiling tiles.
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Providing longer breaks for staff.
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Reduction in class sizes.
Mr. Hans-Horst Konkolewsky, Director of the European Agency for
Safety and Health at Work said:
"The education sector is a hidden source of risk, especially
where today's more raucous pupils are housed in hard-floored, echoing Victorian
classrooms, built for the days when children sat silently, copying from a
blackboard.
"A Danish study has shown that over half of schoolteachers
and day-care workers have to raise their voices to communicate with colleagues,
much more than in many industrial trades."
Mr. Konkolewsky gave assurances the the EU would be "reasonable"
in their assessments of what was possible within schools.
The new Directive will also affect the entertainment sector.
However, discos, bars, concert halls etc within this sector, will be given an
extra three years before coming into force, in order that they can find ways to
reduce noise levels adequately.
Article by Alexandra Johnston
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