manual: women workers' rights and gender equality - International ...

Working in a very noisy area
If you are unable to speak in a normal way standing one arm’s length from another worker then the
noise level is too high. The employer should undertake action to reduce the noise as much as
possible. Possibilities are: enclose the machine or very noisy parts of the machine and regularly
service the machine to keep it in a good shape and reduce the noise.
Working with machines that make a lot of noise will damage your hearing. You should wear protection
when working in noisy areas. Ask your employer to provide hearing protection; of course this should be
of good quality, otherwise it does not help. This is mentioned in Prakas 125, article 4, see under dust.
Ergonomics
This applies to all workers: office workers should have proper furniture to make sure they do not
get problems with their back or arms due to a wrong working position. Homeworkers often work in
bad physical positions. They often sit on the ground or on small chairs that are too low. Back
problems are common among these workers.
Where to complain
When a worker likes to complain about occupational safety and health issues he or she can go to
the Office of OSH which is part of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Labor, Veterans and Youth.
Another option is to go to the trade union if you are a member. In rural areas (and in urban areas
in the case of workers without a contract), local officials will receive a complaint from workers and
may or may not act on those complaints. You will have a higher chance that action will be
undertaken, if you organize in a group and lodge a complaint. Direct compensation is the most
common method of dealing with accidents stemming from dangerous workplaces.
Related sessions and briefing notes
4.13 Maternity Protection
4.14 Sexual Harassment
Briefing Note 8 Health Rights and Work
Briefing Note 9 Violation of Rights at Work: File a Complaint
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