A week-long campaign to increase awareness of health and safety at work began today with a drive to cut down on excessive noise in the workplace.
Tom Beegan, chief executive of the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), said the issue was not regarded as pressing in many work-places but that excessive noise is "an accident happening in slow motion".
"Hearing loss has long been recognised as the most prevalent, irreversible industrial disease," Mr Beegan said.
He made his comments at an event in Portlaoise today to highlight European Safety Week, adding that the issue was particularly important in light of the recently introduced Health and Safety at Work Act.
The act came into effect on September 1 stand places added responsibilities on employers and employees. Fines of up to €3 million and two-year jail terms can be imposed on those found in breach of the act.
As part of the campaign, HSA inspectors will make a series of workplace visits. A new European directive on workplace noise is due to come into effect in 2006 limiting workers exposure to 87 decibels.
It is estimated that a third of the Europe's workforce are exposed to excessive workplace noise levels for more than a quarter of their working time.