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'Noise at work' rules threaten to knock out British Army's tanks
Still hope for Zell Miller's spit ballsDefence chiefs are fighting to prevent the Army's tanks being stopped in their tracks by the introduction of a European directive on vibration and noise at work. The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations and the Control of Noise at Work Regulations have left officers scrambling to discover if the military's armoured vehicles break the rules. But with a slim chance of reducing vibrations in a Challenger 2 tank and the Warrior armoured vehicles, the Ministry of Defence will be seeking an exemption from the rules by invoking an "opt-out" clause. Soldiers who travel in the back of tanks and are subjected to substantial jolts and constant noise will have to suffer the discomforts until at least 2010 when the regulations become law. "Because it's damaging to the human body we are out to ensure soldiers are looked after like civilians," an MoD official said. "Where necessary and practical we will modify equipment and we do have the opt out which we will use if necessary." Defence contractors have been given funds to find ways of improving conditions for soldiers in tanks, including the introduction of better seats and rubber band tracks. A risk assessment study is also expected to be carried out on all the Army's armoured fighting vehicles to establish if they comply with the regulations. The new rules, introduced under the European Physical Agents Directive, are aimed at cutting the estimated two million injuries of "hand-arm vibration" or "whole body vibration". The rules will also limit the use of machinery such as pneumatic drills, chainsaws and farm equipment. A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive, which is implementing the legislation, said "national security" considerations could mean certain employers were exempt. "If you are in a combat situation then clearly it will be difficult to bring in these regulations," he added. Posted by: Captain America 2005-09-02 |
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