Home
Who Are We?
Links
Campaigns
News
Medical
Contact Us Cheap Generic Viagra Online

Campaigns

Physical Agents (Noise) Directive

Page 3 of 5

Join our Campaign...

What does the British Musicians' Union say?
... "Currently, the British Noise at Work Regulations deals with daily personal exposure levels calculated over an 8-hour day with an assumption of a 5-day working week. Although the Noise at Work Regulations provides guidance on means of reducing noise exposure, they are by and large not easily applicable to musicians, particularly orchestral musicians. Hearing one's own instrument and other instruments is an integral part of playing in an orchestra. Certain noise control measures used in other industries, whilst reducing noise exposure, would be detrimental to ensemble and to the quality of music produced it therefore follows that it is difficult to implement the present preventative measures as set out in the Regulations.

These problems and associated ones such as the use of ear protectors, personal practice, exposure to noise outside of a musician's normal place of employment, music teaching and other recreational or professional music making will all increase personal noise exposures.

Means of reducing noise exposure are not straightforward for the professional musician. A combination of several different approaches may have to be attempted. This needs to be addressed by the legislation but understand it would be difficult to do this in detail in the current generic proposals.

The new proposals although welcomed, still do not address the problems our members face whilst at work. The methods of noise control as set out in the regulations are difficult to apply to orchestras etc - so different noise control measures need to be introduced which take into account "noise" as produced by "music".

It is our belief that these concerns would be best covered by an addition to the proposed Directive that specifies that it is recognised that work such as that performed by musicians pose specific problems that are not fully addressed in the Directive and that it shall be an obligation on each regulatory authority to draw up a Code of Practice that deals with these specific problems in consultation with the employers and trade unions concerned. This would be an interim measure until such time as the European Community could draft a Directive covering this area... "

(22.10.01.Pauline Dalby, Musicians' Union Health & Safety Officer)

[ Back to Top ]