In SwedishSAN NEWS 4 2009
Final report on dangerous atmospheres around wood cargoes
Too little oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide. The research project shows that potentially lethal atmospheres are created around wood cargoes, which have caused a number of deaths.
Repetitive movements a threat to health
Too many repetitive movements tire out muscles and may even cause chronic injuries in the long term. However, most repetitive strain injuries can be cured and by using simple methods many problems can be prevented, according to Ingrid Dahl, ergonomist and physiotherapist at the corporate healthcare company Feelgood in Göteborg.
Reducing the risk of strain injuries
Ingrid Dahl, ergonomist and physiotherapist, gives the following advice to employees and employers to reduce the risk of strain injuries.
Technology and ergonomics at the SAN conference
Smart technical solutions that are kind to the body and which have simple logic. A large part of this autumn’s SAN conference in Göteborg was about this subject.
Easier to make beds using Eesibed
Thanks to a specially designed quilt cover, personnel will not need to make awkward lifts when they make the beds in cabins. Behind this innovation is Mats Nordström at Stena Line, who has also produced a more easily maneuverable linen container.
Christer Sjökvist awarded this year’s SAN prize
This year’s SAN prizewinner was chief safety officer Christer Sjökvist, bartender on Silja Galaxy. He was awarded the Work Environment Authority’s flag and a cheque of SEK 10,000 at the SAN conference.
Does the financial crisis affect your work environment activities?
– You consider the costs a lot. We are only investing in the essentials at the moment, and I am afraid that the “softer issues” will be left behind. Unfortunately, in times of crisis I think that there is a tendency to invest less in the psychosocial work environment.
Work environment in times of crisis
A pleasant work environment is good, of course. Work is more enjoyable and personnel are more satisfied and happier. But is it really profitable? Do investments in the work environment pay for themselves? Yes, they do – and more besides.
At this year’s SAN conference Paula Liukkonen, economist and researcher at Stockholm University, talked about how [...]
Work and technology on human terms
How to make technical equipment work with people instead of against them is the theme that runs through the book, “Work and technology on human terms”, published last year. The 700-page book is printed in Swedish and English, and is aimed at everyone who works with technical aids in one form or another.
EU creates a better work environment onboard
The EU commission has started work on drawing up a new social agenda for seafarers. A concrete proposal will be presented in two years’ time, explains Dimitrios Theologitis, section manager at the EU Commission’s marine department.
Dangerous slicing machines
Slicing machines are among the food processing machines that cause most accidents in catering kitchens. While carrying out its inspections of workplaces on land, the work environment authority has noted that a number of older slicing machines as well as new CE marked models do not fulfil current safety requirements.
Door fell after careless rebuilding
After an elevator to the weatherdeck was rebuilt into a ramp, the door to the weatherdeck was also rebuilt into the guillotine type, opening and closing vertically. While the ship was being loaded a truck drove into the side of the door construction, and when it was operated later on the door would not close the last three metres.
Lifebuoy sank – report from Insjö
At the moment there are 2,416 reports in the marine accident and near accident reporting system, Insjö. One of these describes a remarkable event which took place on a Swedish ferry.
Tove Jangland: “The psychosocial work environment issues are the most difficult”
Tove Jangland at the Transport Agency sees one of her primary tasks as raising the status of work environment issues.
– There is sometimes a certain resistance against taking on work environment issues, and certainly they can cost a little - but if we don’t do anything things will be even more expensive in the end.
Changes in labelling
On 20 January 2009 a new ordinance on classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) of chemical substances and mixtures came into force. Signs with black symbols on an orange background will disappear and be replaced by black symbols on a white background with a red frame. Labels with the new marking will be obligatory from 1 December 2010 (chemical substances) and 1 June 2015 (chemical mixtures).
Regulations updated
The revision of the Swedish Maritime Administration’s work environment regulations, 2005:23, has been completed. Areas affected are the regulations on work environment at sea, as well as the chapters on lighting, noise, cooling plants, minors, occupational exposure and ventilation. The revised regulations will come into force on 1 January 2010.
Profitable investments
Prevent’s brochure Profitable, which is about calculating the value of investments in personnel, is now available as a web-based spreadsheet tool. It can be tested free for 30 days. More information can be read at www.lonsam.net (Swedish only).
