September 11, 2019
Distant discussions, the noise of the printer or the telephone, “attention disruptors” can be a source of intense discomfort for the employee. The 2017 Sumer survey reveals that 5.8 million employees are exposed to noise.
The harmfulness of noise
Lack of concentration, stress and fatigue result from permanent noise that disturbs employees, mainly in open spaces. Attention disruptors are also a source of accidents and loss of activity.
The Ministry of Labor published the Sumer 2017 survey on Monday, September 9, which indicates that the number of private sector employees exposed to noise has increased. It went from 3.2 million to 5.8 million in twenty years.
Solutions to reduce noise
As noted in the report “Noise in open-plan spaces: acoustics and perception” conducted by Patrick Chevret, head of the acoustics division at INRS, “ Noise in open spaces is a public health problem as revealed by sick leave indicators and field surveys in France and abroad “. On September 25 and 26, the National Research and Safety Institute (INRS) for the prevention of industrial accidents and occupational diseases will present the latest methods for evaluating the effects of noise in open spaces.
To prevent noise in the workplace and improve the situation of nearly 7 million employees who work there, the Pension and Occupational Health Insurance Fund (Carsat) recommends 10 square meters per person, absorbent ceilings and walls. Additionally, the loudest trades should be kept away from those that are not. Finally, it is necessary to create spaces to allow employees to isolate themselves if necessary.
Stephanie Haerts
Read also: The effects of noise on health
