Protection from noise

Somehow it seems that there are those who as yet are not aware that Directive 2003/10/EC is in force also for the workers employed in the musical sector.

In fact this directive was amended in February 2006 to enforce new sound levels, decreasing them by 5dB (A). The musical industry was granted a derogation of two years from that date as per article 17.

Article 17 – ­Transposition: “In order to allow for the drawing up of a code of conduct providing for practical guidelines for the implementation of the provisions of this directive, member states shall be entitled to make use of a maximum transitional period of two years from February 15, 2006, that is to say a total of five years from the entry into force of this directive, to comply with this directive, with regard to the music and entertainment sectors on the condition that during this period the levels of protection already achieved in individual member states, with regard to the personnel in these sectors, are maintained.”

Once the period allowed for transposition has expired, the directives acquire full legal force and effect in that all state bodies are obliged to interpret and apply national law in accordance with the directives.

It is perplexing how the health and safety agency, the Health Department and the unions accept the guidelines indicated by Directive 2003/10/EC to safeguard workers at the place of work from excessive noise but shamelessly exclude the same protection to the workers in the music industry!