esvagt is investing in silence
Transcription
esvagt is investing in silence
Published by SEAHEALTH Denmark ISSUE NO 2 Summer 2015 A GOOD SAFE WORKING LIFE New guidance: 7 HEALTH AND SAFETY ON SMALL FERRIES 4 Buller: AN APP TO MEASURE NOISE Hygiene in the galley: “WE APPLY COMMON SENSE!” 8-9 ESVAGT IS INVESTING IN SILENCE The crew on Esvagt’s newest ship can enjoy the silence on board, making it easier to recharge for new watches Out at sea, it is getting quieter and quieter. At least if you are part of the crew on board one of Esvagt’s newest ships: the ESVAGT Aurora, ESVAGT Faraday or ESVAGT Froude. So says ESVAGT Aurora’s Captain, Morten D. Holm, and Chief Engineer Lars BlackJensen: “We can feel a great difference in the noise on the ESVAGT Aurora compared to other ships. It is especially due to the diesel electric engines we use. They are very different than traditional engines thumping away down in the hull. And when we use the thrusters, you can practically not hear them even though they are right below us. On other ships, you would hardly be able to sleep in the same situation, “ says Lars BlackJensen. “Noise should be reduced on all ships. The less noise, the better you sleep on board. Noise affects us more than we think,” says Morten D. Holm on the I think we have achieved really good results. It is impossible to completely remove noise, but now I never notice it anymore on the ESVAGT Aurora. Morten D. Holm, Captain, ESVAGT Aurora phone from Northern Norway where ESVAGT Aurora is on oil field standby. Insulation and noise absorption Esvagt made a serious commitment on cutting down on noise aboard when the ESVAGT Aurora was built in 2012. Special insulation, low-noise flooring, big slow-rotation propellers and noise absorption under the diesel engines were some of the innovations aimed at cutting down on the decibels. “On the two Group 1 ships, ESVAGT Faraday and ESVAGT Froude, which we have built since then, we have done even more to reduce noise and vibration,” reports Kristian Ole Jakobsen, who is responsible for Esvagt’s newbuildings and ship operations. Wonderful peace The captain and chief engineer on ESVAGT Aurora are extremely pleased with the silence they have already achieved on the ship. “I think we have reached really good results. It is impossible to completely remove noise, but now I never notice it anymore on the ESVAGT Aurora,” declares Capt. Holm. He explains that now he can have a normal conversation on the bridge, even when a helicopter is hovering right overhead. And the captain and chief engineer emphasize that “It is also very important that you can sit in the mess or your cabin in peace and quiet. Subconsciously, you probably relax better,” It is new and innovative. There is less Lars Black-Jensen adds. noise and significantly less vibration. They feel that When the ESVAGT Aurora was built, nobody could wish for it was all so new that I hardly dared more. take the step. being able to hear clearly what other people say reduces the risk of mistakes. 2 · SUMMER 2015 Enormous effect All in all, the two officers on the ESVAGT Aurora are well satisfied. But there will be even more peace and quiet to come on ESVAGT’s coming ships. Kristian Ole Jakobsen has especially high hopes that in the future their diesel generators will provide DC power for subsequent conversion to alternating current. That will make a clear difference to the crew: “It has an enormous effect. You can clearly feel the difference,” he adds. “Diesel generators normally run at a constant speed to maintain the right level of voltage and current on a ship. But by running ”via” DC, diesel generators operate as a (low) variable speed when there is little need for power.” “It is new and innovative. There is less noise and significantly less vibration. When the ESVAGT Aurora was built, it was all so new that I hardly dared taking the step,” says Kristian Ole Jakobsen. Yet another ship scheduled for completion in 2016 is being built upon these same principles. Even more has been done on ESVAGT Froude to minimise noise, and more is on the way, or rather, less noise is on way. relaxing and recharging,” Kristian Ole Jakobsen explains. Energy saving Lower noise levels have also resulted in less energy consumption. “When we reduce noise and vibration, it is often linked to a reduction in energy consumption. Normally, a ship has relatively large pumps which just keep on running. When you use a rectifier, the pumps use less energy and make less noise,” Kristian Ole Jakobsen notes. Increased life quality on board ESVAGT has a common objective for all their ships: They must be nice to be on. “We started on this process because we wanted to ensure proper working conditions for our personnel at sea. For example, on ESVAGT Froude and ESVAGT Faraday we have 60 men on board, of whom 40 are wind turbine technicians who spend their time on and off duty on the ship until they go back to work on the turbines again. When you are on board 30 days at a time, having a proper working environment is naturally important. Which is also why we have installed very big windows in conference rooms and offices on our new ships so that people can sit and look at the sea while Launching stillness If shipowners wish to follow ESVAGT’s example and let peace and quiet descend in the mess, galley, control room, bridge and cabins, the most important step is to work closely with the shipyard so that the necessary installations can be planned right at the beginning of the design phase. n Our experience is your security! Providing accident insurance to Danish seafarers for over 100 years Danish Shipowners’ Accident Insurance Association (UFDS) Amaliegade 33B, 2nd floor • DK-1256 Copenhagen K Tel. +45 3313 8688 • [email protected] • www.ufds.dk Danish Shipowners’ Accident Insurance Association (UFDS) UFDS SEAHEALTH.DK · 3 SEAHEALTH FOR YOU Seahealth.dk is published by SEAHEALTH Denmark Amaliegade 33 B DK-1256 Copenhagen K T: +45 3311 1833 E: [email protected] www.seahealth.dk/en Commissioning Editor Connie S. Gehrt, CEO Editor Peter Finn Larsen T: +45 5782 0203 E: [email protected] Advertising Kasper Kristensen T: +45 7610 1144 E: [email protected] Cover Photo Claus Bonnerup Layout www.fingerprint.dk Printed by Rosendahls Print run 2,250 About SEAHEALTH Established in 1993, SEAHEALTH is a private independent institution with a board of 12 members, with six from shipowners and six from employee unions. SEAHEALTH works with the Danish merchant fleet to promote health and safety for seafarers regardless of rank. We provide consultancy services to shipowners and ships in order to prevent occupational injury, including industrial accidents, occupational disease and wear and tear. All Danish registered merchant ships over 20 GT are obliged to be a member of SEAHEALTH. New guidance: Health and Safety on Small Ferries As a supplement to the ”Small ships and special duties” guidance, SEAHEALTH is now ready with “Special Guidance for Small Ferries. The guidance has been developed after visiting several ferry operators and having a good dialogue with- and contributions from members of the Small Islands Ferry Operators. It is especially the “soft issues” that affect daily routines on board the ferries. So the guidance concentrates on customers and conflicts, collaboration between crew members, communication, HR development and how to tackle change. The guidance also entails a description of the ergonomic challenges and long-term effects of carrying money cassettes, giving change and handling payment terminals. The guidance is being sent out to all small Danish ferries and can be downloaded at www.seahealth.dk/ publikation/alle-publikationer (The guideline is only in Danish) Contact Senior Consultant Søren Bøge Pedersen for further information T: +45 3348 9313 E: [email protected] DID YOU KNOW THAT: Not all types of gloves are approved for handling food. When it comes to anti-cut gloves for food, it is important to have the right kind of gloves. The wrong gloves can give a sense of false security whereas an approved type, tested for the right purpose, can cope with heavy wear. 4 · SUMMER 2015 There are many kinds of anti-cut gloves. Many contain Kevlar and have a coating. They can for example resist cuts but if the gloves are not approved for food, the coating may release harmful substances into the food. Use for example this kind of glove (see photo) with the type approvals shown. Then you will be well on the way. If you are going to do major butchery such as cutting up a whole ham, we recommend stainless steel mesh gloves with wrist protection. Contact Carsten GydahlJensen, M.Sc. for further information T: +45 3348 9311 E: [email protected] Y A W R U O Y N A L P E S I O N E H T F O OUT Noise is a health and safety issue. Whether it comes from a compressed air tool, colleagues or the engine it is regarded as a problem. 1 1. Very loud noise is defined as a more or less constant excessive noise – eg from loud machinery. You can plan your way out of noise problems as you can plan your way out of other working environmental issues. The Venø Ferry has shown us that it is possible. Here, the crew were consulted, which led to a separation of living room and noise elements. At the same time a number of other challenges were addressed such as annoying sunlight reflections on computerand tv screens. See page 10. 2 2. Disturbing noise is not per se harmful but is part of an inappropriate and potentially stressful working environment. 3 3. Impulse noise is a sudden and very loud sound. Both the hearing impairing noise and impulse noise can cause physical injury. SEAHEALTH.DK · 5 NEWS NEW GUIDANCE ON WORKING WITH NANO MATERIALS The Danish Working Environment Authority has issued a new guidance on working with nano materials. Working with nano materials is covered by the same regulations that apply to the use of substances and materials in general. What is new is that the American Environmental Protection Agency has set some limits for nano-sized substances. granulates and pastes. The greatest occupational health risk comes from inhaling airborne particles. When working with nano materials, the guidance states that a risk assessment must be carried out, and that this should address the hazardous properties of the nano material. This can be difficult, also because there are no official There used to be some doubt as to international threswhether personal protective equipment hold values for nano could provide protection against these forms of substances. very small particles, but it can. The American EPA has drawn up recommenWhen particles are so small dations for limits for nano that they come into the nano materials that are considerably category, they may change lower than the threshold values character and have technical set for comparable substances properties that differ from larger that are not nano-sized, such as particles of the same chemical titanium dioxide (30 times lower) substance. Particles’ properties and carbon nanotubes (1000 may also change and become times lower than for just carbon). harmful which is important In addition to a risk assessfor health and safety when ment, prevention policies must manufacturing and using new be applied which here include products. Nano materials can substitution, workplace design also be found as free particles in and technical measures such as powder form, aerosols, liquids, local extraction and encapsu- lation and PPE. There used to be some doubt as to whether personal protective equipment could provide protection against these very small particles, but it can. However, it is important to use at the very least a respirator with a P3 filter. You can read more on the Danish Working Environment Authority’s website at: arbejdstilsynet.dk/da/regler/ at-vejledninger/a/9-3-1-arbejdemed-nanomaterialer.aspx 3F has also drawn up a very readable folder on ”Nano in the working environment”, which mentions the advisory US threshold values, and includes two tools with questions for employers and suppliers. mediacontent.sd.publicus.com/ pdf/SD1948731120.PDF (This guideline is only in Danish). New research by the Danish NanoSafety Centre also shows that inhaling nano particles can affect sperm quality. You can read the latest news at www.arbejdsmiljoviden.dk/ Aktuelt/Nyheder/2015/02/ 05-Nanopartikler-kan-paavirkesaedkvalitet NANO MATERIALS Particles or materials that are sized 1-100 nanometre in at least one dimension. A nanometre is one millionth of a metre. NEW PICTOGRAMS ON CHEMICALS The time has come where the old orange hazard labels need to be phased out and replaced. No later than the 1st of June 2015, all new chemicals must be classified and labeled according to the CLP-standard (red/white pictograms) and safety data sheets must also be updated. Chemicals that have been marketed before the 1st of June 2015 must carry the new labels before the 1st of June 2017. The labeling in the safety data sheet must at all times be consistent with the labeling on the packing. Chemicals e.g. cleaning agents, oils and paints must carry the new CLP-labeling before the 1st of June 2017. This means that from June 1st 2017, all products on board needs to be relabeled if they carry the old orange hazard symbols. SEAHEALTH encourages ships to ask their suppliers for chemicals carrying the new CLP-regulation labels, if they buy them after the 1st of June 2015. Experience tells us that it can take some time to use up the chemicals. This way, ships can minimise the relabeling they have to do before June 1st 2017. CHANGES TO THE OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES ACT ON INJURIES AT WORK A new interpretation of the Occupational Injuries Act following a Supreme Court ruling has now led to the introduction of a minimum limit for occupational injuries and accidents Following a Supreme Court ruling, the National Board of Industrial Injuries has amended its interpretation of the legislation. This means that more cases will be rejected than before. If you are injured or have an accident in your workplace, it will not be recognised as an occupational injury unless treatment is required for it to be reduced or disappear. If the symptoms also disappear in time 6 · SUMMER 2015 and are only temporary, legally it will not basically be treated as a personal injury. Injuries with permanent consequences may continue to be recognized when there is a causal link between the event and the consequences. This also applies even if the consequences do not give the right to compensation for permanent injury. This means that if you fall from a roof, you might very well for example hit your head and get a concussion, hurt your back, shoulder, etc. Here there would be a causal link between the event and the consequences of the injury. This would typically be recognized as an occupational injury if it leads to permanent disability. But it is not normal to get a slipped disc from getting up from a chair. Here there is no causal link and thus no recognition. A fall only leading to bruising where there is no need for medical treatment will therefore no longer be recognised as such. This would also apply for example if you cut yourself on something sharp which causes a wound that heals, with no further symptoms. This kind of injury used to be recognized but without compensation. In the future it will not be recognised. MEASURING NOISE SORRY, WHAT DID YOU SAY? “Buller” – an app to measure noise All kinds of unwanted sound are noise and thereby pose an environmental health problem. This applies regardless of whether the noise comes from an air tool, your shipmates or the engine propelling the ship. More than 1,800 cases of occupational hearing conditions are reported every year in Denmark. Hearing conditions are serious because they weaken or completely destroy one of the most important senses of the person affected. Damage is irreversible. Once some or all of the hearing has gone, people have to live with it for the rest of their lives. See the three types of noise in the workplace on page 5. An app for measuring noise The Swedish Work Environment Authority (which corresponds to the Danish Working Environment Authority) has made an app called “Buller” (the Swedish word for noise). This provides a noise meter that gives an immediate reading of the noise level. The program can also be set to remember measurements to give an idea of how much noise people are exposed to during the day. The app is free. You can read more about the app at www.av.se (search for ”buller app”). n SOURCE: WORKING ENVIRONMENT INFORMATION CENTRE Hearing conditions are serious because they weaken or completely destroy one of the most important senses of the person affected. Damage is irreversible. Experience from Venø In the shipping industry, great efforts are made to cut the level of noise on board. One of the shipping companies to have done this is Venø Ferry which consulted with the crew when planning and building their new ferry. We asked for their opinions about the changes and their reactions are given below (see also the article on p. 10 and on noise proofing in ESVAGT on p. 1-3). Have you found that the ship’s design has affected your physical health and wellbeing? We do better in our new surroundings but cannot say whether this has any influence on our physical health. Have you found that the ship’s design has affected your mental health and wellbeing? Yes, it has had a positive impact on our mental health and well-being. help from the group so that our accommodation and duty rooms are sensibly located from a noise point of view. The control room, ticket office, etc., have also been designed following guidance from us and taking into account our work processes, operations and crew establishment. Who was involved in the process of designing your new building? The whole crew were involved which had a positive influence on the ship’s design. How did you consider the working environment in planning your new ship design? What were you especially aware of when the ship was being built? Based on our operations, crew establishment and watch system, the ferry design was organized with Involving the crew’s experience and knowledge and learning from other shipowners. The Venø Ferry management consulted the crew, when a new ferry was designed and build. SEAHEALTH.DK · 7 HYGIENE IN THE GALLEY Mate John Clothier (left), AB Michael Teute, Capt. Jens Eggert and Chief Engineer Jonny Skafte share work in the galley, even though Michael Teute has most experience of the cooker and refrigerator. But please do not call him the ship’s cook, he says. I am not against the rules. They are probably good enough and necessary for a large crew with a permanent ship’s cook. But here on when all four of us are in the galley to organise breakfast and lunch, and hot food as well, too much paperwork can seem pointless. Jens Eggert, Captain It is all very good with rules and regulations on food, but who are we doing it for, asks an experienced tug boat crew HYGIENE IN THE GALLEY “WE APPLY COMMON SENSE!” The crew now all have hygiene certificates and can show they have some knowledge about what you can and cannot do when working with food and preparing it for others than yourself. They also check the temperature of the refrigerator and freezer and they have a form for doing their own self-assessments. On board the tug Svitzer Nerthus, nothing is left to chance when it comes to hygiene in the galley but neither was it before MLC 2006, emphasise Capt. Jens Eggert, Chief Engineer 8 · SUMMER 2015 Jonny Skafte, and AB Michael Teute. They have 36, 34 and 32 years of experience respectively. John Clothier, the first mate, only has four months of service on a tug but the captain’s views on hygiene on board have him nodding in agreement. Good rules but... Yet another contribution to the paper mill, says Jens Eggert about the rules on how to ensure proper self-assessment. “Make no mistake about it. I am not against the rules. They are probably good enough and necessary for a large crew with a permanent ship’s cook. But here when all four of us are in the galley to organise breakfast and lunch, and hot food as well, we regard them as just more paperwork. Hygiene and temperature are closely watched in the refrigerator and freezer, which used to be in the same cabinet but are now separate. why? So far we have never had anyone asking for them. Polite self-service Assistant Michael Teute, who most often does the cooking, breaks in. “The last time we had a Lloyd’s representative We have always done the cleaning on board; I did see that but now we have a template to follow. he looked up the cooker It ensures that we get all the way hood. He did not say round, but I would say that we always what he was looking have. for, but it was probably about hygiene. I have We do the checks and record never been asked to show the what we should - we have to - but reports of our controls. HOW TO HAVE ZERO ACCIDENTS IN THE GALLEY 1. Avoid heavy lifting: a. Place any pans, etc., between knee and shoulder height. b. Use hydraulic lift tables and trolleys instead of carrying things. c. S et the working height so there is no tension in your shoulders and your arms can be kept close to the body. d. Keep your tools close to you and within reach. e. If you have to bend to lift, avoid twisting your back at the same time. f. Lift as close to your body as possible. 1. Prevent burns and scalds: a. Use an oven cloth or dry tea towel when touching hot items. b. Make sure the oven door stays attached and do not swing in heavy weather. c. Use the deep fryer as little as possible. d. If you have to use a deep fryer, use an automatic machine that lowers food into the oil and adjusts the temperature by itself. e. Do not touch deep fryer oil while it is cooling and wear gloves to touch the deep fryer. f. Train crew in using hot things. 1. Keep things clean: a. The galley floor should be non-slip. b. Keep the floor clean and if you spill grease or oil or anything else, clean it up immediately. c. S crape/scour, rinse and swab the floor with detergent – three work processes. d. Only wear non-slip shoes that keep the feet in place and which are designed for use on a hard surface. e. Regularly clean grease and dirt off the soles of your shoes. f. I n rough weather, use wetted tea towels when putting pans, etc., on the table. Michael Teute has, as recommended, bought five different coloured chopping boards to indicate what they should be used for so that he does not mix meat juices and vegetables by mistake. We have always done the cleaning but now we have a template to follow. It ensures that we get all the way round, but I would say that we always have. We now have a separate freezer and refrigerator but that does not have much influence in our daily routines. We shop at Føtex or Netto or local shops near the port and assume that the products are in order. We don’t go around with a thermometer and check the temperature in shops’ display counters. But then, neither do I change clothes when I go from working on deck to the galley. There is no time for that and it is impractical since lunch is always self-service. In that case we would all have to change clothes several times a day.” Common sense “We simply do what we do at home,” interjects Chief Engineer Jonny Skafte. “What we do on board is perfectly ordinary housework and if anybody slacks on the hygiene, we will certainly say so! And it is not by chance that four elderly, grumpy men 1. Reduce wounds from cuts: a. Only use sharp knives and wash them separately. b. Do not leave sharp knives to soak but wash them immediately after use. c. Have the right knives for different purposes. d. Always keep unused knives on a magnetic knife holder or some other knife rack. e. Always use a steel mesh glove for difficult butchery and cut-resistant rubber gloves for other cutting and slicing (see article p. 4). f. Train crew in using knives and machinery safely. have ended up on the same boat? No, no, they insist. “We use our common sense. Everyone can come and go in the galley. That is what we are used to and the introduction of MLC 2006 has not made us change our ways. However, we can now document that we do as we should but have not yet found out who we are doing it for,” they say. With 102 years of service between them on the tug, Jens, Jonny and Michael have not yet had a single case of illness because of poor hygiene or lack of controls on food on board. n COMMENT FROM SEAHEALTH The rules exist because we still see examples in the maritime industry of poor hygiene conditions, cases of food poisoning and poor quality of the provisioning. Each ship has the ability to customize their monitoring so it fits the circumstances on their particular ship. SEAHEALTH.DK · 9 SHIPBUILDING The small roof extension to the right above the car deck is visible proof of the minor structural changes that created space for the mess and cabin, away from sources of noise. IT IS SO QUIET NOW Crew were consulted when the Venø Ferry was being built and their working environment improved as a result There are 271 m between the ferry dock on the little island of Venø in Limfjorden and the mainland of Jutland to the west, slightly north of Struer. The current is strong in the narrow, up to 17 m deep channel when there is a northwestern wind. There is no need for a dredger here, only good seamanship when the ferry runs east to west or vice versa like a floating yoyo every 20 minutes, or when it is needed. The crossing takes approximately 2 minutes. ”When it is blowing more than 30 m/s and the buoy is missing, we stay put,” remarks Capt. Charly Clemmensen, one of the five captains on the route. The storm called Bodil the year before last taught him the limits. The two 360 Volvo engines could not cope against the current and wind when he tried after five hours of waiting to get passengers and cars across the channel. He succeeded but experience shows that when the anemometer shows the wind is more than 30 m/s, it is best to be patient. Consulting the crew The Venø Ferry is a 280 ton steel ferry built in 2010 at the Hvide Sande shipyard and owned by Struer Municipality which has a policy of supporting maritime operations. Running the ferry has greater appeal to tourists than a bridge. This is why the municipality invested DKK 56m in the ferry and in building two new ferry docks. The job was put into the hands of Søren Adsersen who was operations manager on the route and he immediately involved ten experienced personnel because “after all, they have more experience than I do. They see things that I do not. I would in fact advise against making a start on such a project without consulting the personnel. It has turned out well,” reports Søren Adsersen. Noise One much discussed issue was noise. Two of the crew members sleep on board since the ferry is part of the emergency services on Venø. The original idea was for crew accommodation, cabins and mess to be located at deck height but that was changed. Some slight alterations created room for this on a floor between the bridge and deck. From here, there is a view and it is far from sources of noise, making it possible to talk normally and watch TV. This solution gave the crew their own quarters, free from passengers and free from noise. And to such an extent that it was immediately noticed. “It is a little unusual not to be able to hear when the engines speed up,” remarks Charly Clemmensen, while continuing: “It is pure luxury. And now we no longer sleep in the hut on Venø.” Ownership from influence Another significant change was relocating the screens on the bridge. Originally they were positioned facing south. Since Operations Manager Søren Adsersen shows that the design of the mess means that the crew can watch television and also monitor the ferry, and also thirdly that they have a good view of the surrounding area from their quarters a couple of metres above deck. 10 · SUMMER 2015 At the crew’s request, the screens were turned to face away from the sun, making them easier for the five captains to read. the ferry always sails with the same side facing south, it made it difficult to see the screens. So they were moved to the north side. The rev counter and other instruments were also moved up to eye height, making it easy for the captain to read them without having to take his eyes off the channel. Søren Adsersen: “Having influence gives ownership and that is important for success. And no, it was not a difficult process. The most difficult thing was to switch from an elderly chain ferry to high technology.” Technology that also means that Søren Adsersen can connect to the ferry’s control systems and provide “first aid” from his home. So can the company that developed the software so that they can remotely identify and solve any problems that previously required an engineer to be called out. Last year, the Venø Ferry carried about 280,000 passengers across the channel on 38,000 trips. n DRAWINGS FACILITATE UNDERSTANDING OHS IN DRAWINGS “It is a good way to flag up the challenges,” concludes Niels Heegaard, Royal Arctic Line, after the Greenlandic debut for OHS drawings The drawings say so much more than words. They can also be the reason for many words! Niels Heegaard, Royal Arctic Line, was positively surprised about the effect of various health and safety drawings when he presented them at a seminar in Nuuk for the sea-going crew in the company’s “Settlement Service.” The drawings have been made by SEAHEALTH to show the long-term consequences of a poor working environment. Preview The crew on the ships servicing settlements in Greenland are moving to the company’s newest vessels that are larger than the current ones and so covered by ISM. The company therefore issued an invitation to a seminar in January on the new conditions at Greenland’s Maritime Center. A couple of days in the weeklong seminar were reserved for occupational health and safety which was where the drawings had an important part to play, even though they had not yet been officially released. “We were allowed a preview of the drawings. And that was good because I feel they changed the attitudes of the crew. The drawings show very clearly what it is all about without using lots of words,” reports Niels Heegaard. “After all, this is not the first seminar we have held with health and safety on the agenda. You are often in a situation in which you have to struggle to make challenges easy to understand, and also where people need to protect themselves. Clear drawings with few words make it easy to understand such concepts as workplace risk assessments and nearmisses, etc.,” he says. Many words On the other hand, the drawings gave rise to lots of words. The drawings were handed out to groups who were asked to talk about what the drawings showed. And that got people talking with stories about their own experience, which again got all at the seminar going. A situation which tells Niels Heegaard that the delegates this year were more eager to discuss issues compared to previous seminars. The drawings also helped create understanding for why risk assessments can result in a healthier, safer working environment. This is one of the preconditions for having a long, good working life and not being worn out by retirement age. n SEAHEALTH.DK · 11