The Norwegian Defense’s Chief Protection Officer, Thomas Normann Hansen, says that they are aware of cases of nosebleeds at Porsangermoen, Kirkenes and Bodø from the past. – It is not good for either the service board or the Armed Forces. This is not how we should have it. The soldiers are not happy that it is like that. They want more new barracks with modern standards, modern ventilation and good welfare. In the course of just over a month, around 150 cases of nosebleeds have been reported in soldiers serving in Skjold camp in Målselv municipality. Many of the cases can be linked to the Sannan barracks, but it has not been concluded that it is the one that causes either the nosebleeds or the respiratory problems experienced by many of the soldiers. Hansen states that the soldiers who live in Sannan have recently been out training. While they have been out of the barracks, no one has reported any new cases of nosebleeds. Chief Security Officer in the Norwegian Armed Forces, Thomas Norman Hansen. Photo: Sveinung Åsali / news Indoor climate researchers do not ignore the fact that an old building like Sannan can be the cause of nosebleeds. – It may be possible that the indoor climate leads to nosebleeds. But we have not encountered this problem before, says Professor Guangyu Cao at NTNU. Cao indicates that one is more susceptible to bleeding and infections in dry air. If it is very cold outside and there is little moist air, the air inside will also become drier when heated. Professor Guangyu Cao at NTNU. Photo: NTNU Cao clarifies that he does not know what measurements have been taken at the Sannan barracks, and therefore cannot answer what the indoor climate is like there. – If there is not enough air inside, then it can also be a reason why the indoor air quality is not so good. This is how the soldiers live at the Sannan barracks, where several cases of nosebleeds have been reported. Insufficient ventilation The occupational health service has inspected and assessed the barracks building. They are reasonably certain that the nosebleed cases are connected to generally poor air quality and an old house. The Sannan Barracks was built in 1955. – There are many indications that there is too little ventilation capacity in relation to how many people live in the room and how much dust and particles are formed from the activity in the house, says Morten Skandfer, chief operating officer for the Norwegian Armed Forces in Northern Norway. Morten Skandfer, chief operating officer for the Armed Forces of Northern Norway. Photo: Elise Holdal / news He emphasizes that the building must be able to provide the soldiers with a safe working environment, as the Working Environment Act states. – There must be decent conditions where people live and work. The soldiers here are at work for their entire year of conscription. They are at work where they live. The ventilation system at the barracks needs to be replaced. Photo: Harald Albrigtsen / news Billion deficit The occupational health service has no evidence to say that the building is hazardous to health. – But we can ask ourselves what is a health hazard? Having low comfort is a health problem, but not a health hazard, says Skandfer. – So it is important to realize that nosebleeds, although unpleasant, are not a serious symptom. It’s a comfort issue, and we get that. Their recommendation is clear: – We recommend that this building be improved. We are in dialogue with those who are responsible for this. There is a lot of wear and tear on the building from 1955. The Norwegian Defense Ombudsman supports the Norwegian Ombudsman’s demand that money be set aside for the renovation of buildings soldiers live in. – The armed forces need to replace several of the barracks all over the country, says Norman Hansen. Defense Commissioner Roald Linaker says that he also expects the problem to be addressed, with solutions in the short and long term. – You have to find out why you have that situation there and get the necessary measures taken in the short term. In the longer term, it must be ensured that both conscripts and employees have good living conditions, he says. He points out that the renovation backlog for buildings where employees and soldiers live is in the billions range. Both conscripts, shop stewards and the defense ombudsman have repeatedly pointed this out in annual reports. Linaker believes the government should allocate more money for renovation. This is especially so since the number of conscripts and employees in the Armed Forces is to be increased. Defense representative, Roald Linaker. Photo: Bernt Snorre Johansen – We have situations where the barracks have been closed due to mold and fungus in the showers and sanitary rooms, and there is poor ventilation. It’s about well-being, but it’s primarily about care and HSE. This can affect the service, and in the worst case it can affect the emergency response. Want new barracks Forsvarsbygg Nord’s regional manager, Signe Woldseth Søreng, says they are familiar with the conditions described in Skjold camp. They are working with the Army and the Army’s security service to follow up on the case. They are already taking concrete, short-term measures. – We have started with duct cleaning, and we are still working on regulating the ventilation system, in addition to other measures being taken. Among other things, they look at how many people can live together in one room to improve the air conditions. Six soldiers live in each room. Now they will try to reduce it to four in order to improve air quality. Photo: Harald Albrigtsen / news Søreng is clear that despite extra allocations for the current year, they have almost enough funds to catch up with the national backlog. – That is why it is so important that we cooperate well with the defense and the defense service in order to prioritize correctly. That we use the funds where it is most critical and get measures taken, while at the same time we get a supplementary measure with extra grants that promote housing. Defense buildings must take into account that Sannan is protected when the building is to be renovated. – Could you take more measures at the barracks, without compromising on the guidance from the National Antiquities Authority? – We are continuously working on it. We have had several renewal measures at protected barracks, and will do more in the future. But for Sannan, we do not have measures in place as of now. Section manager at the National Archives, Linda Veiby, emphasizes that conservation should not come at the expense of health. Linda Veiby, Head of Section at the National Archives. Photo: MIKAEL SJÖBERG – Of course, people should not get sick due to safety concerns. Protection is not an excuse for lack of maintenance, and it should be entirely possible to find good solutions in listed buildings for today’s needs, she says. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp) has asked the Norwegian Armed Forces and Defense Building to give a more detailed account of the details of this case. Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram (Sp). Photo: Lars Erik Skrefsrud / news – The government is keen to ensure that the building stock used by our conscripts and employees has a good and sound standard. That is why we have strengthened the budget for building maintenance that is linked to personal use in both 2022 and 2023, he says.
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Believes the indoor climate can go beyond the defense capability – news Troms and Finnmark
