ACTU Releases Headset Safety Resource Kit for Call Centre Workers

The ACTU recently released its Headset Safety Resource Kit for Call Centre workers.

The kit, which outlines the risks involved in the use of headsets in the workplace, also looks at how risky work practices and noise levels in call centres may be reduced.

The kit has become necessary due to Acoustic Shock Syndrome becoming more common in workplaces over the last thirty years due to increasing number of call centres. Acoustic shock occurs as a psychological response to a sudden, loud sound heard from telephone headsets or handsets. Symptoms include dizziness, headaches, fatigue and anxiety as well as ear pain.

The kit provides health and safety delegates, supervisors and managers with strategies to reduce risk factors and manage acoustic shock incidents. This could include the isolation of call centres from other noisy work areas and minimisation of use of other machinery close to workstations.

The kit also recommends that headsets are not shared between workers to reduce risks of cross infection of diseases through the external ear canal or mouthpiece.

Copies of the kit may be obtained from the ACTU - telephone 1300 365 205 or email central@actu.asn.au

For further information

Contact	:	OHS & Workers Compensation Officer - Mary Yaager
Phone	:	+61 2 9264 1691
Email	:	m.yaager@labor.org.au
WWW	:	http://ohsnet.labor.net.au/ohsnet/news

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