Call-centre workers at risk from acoustic shock

Hundreds of thousands of UK telephone headset users may be at risk of "acoustic shock" - yet many employers are unaware of the problem, according to the CWU communication workers' union.

Acoustic shock - a sudden spike of noise which commonly causes tinnitus, a burning sensation and hypersensitivity to loud sounds - is a hazard faced by one million call-centre operators and others. As reported in last month's Workplace Report, a recent survey by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that 30% of headset users had these symptoms - suggesting that at least 300,000 UK workers may be acoustic shock victims.

"Call-centre operators are becoming the modern victims of noise at work," said Keith Broughton, the HSE's former principal specialist inspector (noise and vibration).

Last month the Call Centre Management Association (CCMA) ran a series of workshops as part of its Acoustic Shock Programme, aimed at employers and stressing the need to protect their workers' health. The programme, which endorses the HSE's guidelines on acoustic shock, is supported by the CWU and the Institute of Acoustics.

CCMA chair Marcus Quilter said: "The health of operators has been at risk for far too long, and there is a great misunderstanding to what extent employers are required by law to mitigate against this risk."

Details of the Acoustic Shock Programme, together with other information and resources related to the condition, are available at www.acousticshock.org