The purpose of this study was to investigate how the church verger relates to the cultural heritage in their churches and how the churches are affected by their cultural heritage. I also wanted to investigate the problem in preserving a heritage that doubles as a living religious room. Finally, I wanted to know how the verger's work is influenced by the dual responsibility towards the parish and county government. In the study the vergers were interviewed about their workplace and work situation. I also interviewed the antiquarian in Växjö diocese. I then analyzed the results by using Svante Beckman’s concept categories and value typology of cultural heritage. I drew the conclusion that the church instills a feeling based on historical values. I also concluded that the verger’s knowledge and care of the church protects the cultural heritage values. This knowledge is in itself a cultural heritage that needs to be nurtured and protected. Finally, my study found that the county government and the heritage law do not cater to the needs of parishes today. The requirements demanded by the county government have become yet another stress factor in the verger’s everyday.

SAMMANFATTNING Bakgrund En del av företagssköterskans arbetsuppgifter är att arbeta förebyggande och se olika typer av problematik som finns hos arbetstagare och arbetsgivare. Omvårdnad av människan ska stå i fokus och rikta sig mot arbetslivet där en säker och god omvårdnad ges (SOU 2011:63). Vibrationsexponering av händer och åtföljande effekter utgör ett betydande arbetsmedicinskt problem där kyrkvaktmästare utgör en exponerad yrkesgrupp. Syfte Syftet med studien var att kartlägga besvär i händer och armar hos kyrkvaktmästare och deras kunskaper kring riskerna med vibrationsexponering. Metod 50 kyrkvaktmästare besvarande två enkäter, en om symtom och en om arbetsmiljö vid vibrationsexponering av handhållna verktyg och dess risker och skador. Resultatet presenterades som deskriptiva data. Resultat Köldkänsla 40 %, vita fingrar 38 % och kramp 38 % var de vanligaste symtomen. Symtom var vanligare bland dem som arbetat minst 10 år i vibrations exponerade arbete. De hade lite kunskap om riskerna med arbetet. Ingen av kyrkvaktmästarna hade blivit erbjuden medicinsk kontoroll enligt Arbetsmiljöverkets föreskrifter. Slutsats Symtom var vanligt förekommande, om medicinska kontroller hade utförts skulle symtomen förmodligen ha upptäcks i ett tidigare skede och inneburit att deras lidande kunde ha minskat. Den medicinska kontrollen hade även inneburit att arbetsgivaren tagit sitt arbetsmiljöansvar för att minimera vibrationsexponeringen (AFS 2005:15). En viktig del i företagssköterskans preventiva arbete är att informera arbetsgivaren om dennes ansvar vid vibrations exponerade arbete och arbetstagarna om riskerna. Nyckelord: hand- arm vibration, riskfaktorer, yrkessjukdomar, yrkesmässig exponering, kyrkvaktmästare / ABSTRACT Background Part of the company nurse's work is to work proactively and identify different types of problems among workers and employers. Nursing of man should be the focus and target the workplace where a safe and good nursing care is provided (SOU 2011:63). Vibration exposure of hands and concomitant effects represent a significant work related problem with care takers from an exposed profession. Aim The aim of the study was to identify hand and arm symptoms in vibration exposure with care takers and their knowledge of the risks associated with vibration exposure. Method Fifty care takers answered two questionnaires, one about symptoms and one about the work environment and vibration exposure of the hand-held tools and its risks and injuries. The results were presented as descriptive data. Results Sensation of cold (40%), white fingers (38%) and cramp (38%) were the most common symptoms. Symptoms were more common among those who had worked at least ten (10) years in vibration exposed work. They had little knowledge of the risks associated with vibration exposure. None of the care takers had been offered medical examination according to the regulation. Conclusion Symptoms were common among care takers; if medical examinations had been carried out the symptoms would probably have been detected at an earlier stage and meant that their suffering could have been reduced. The medical examinations had also meant that the employer would have taken the safety responsibilities to minimize vibration exposure (AFS 2005:15). An important part of the job of the company nurse is to inform the employer of his responsibility for vibration exposure and the workers about the risks. Keywords: hand-arm vibration, risk factors, occupational diseases, occupational exposure, care takers.