
Issue No 106		10 August 2001

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News

Put A Stop To Acoustic Shock

Acoustic shock is an escalating problem in call centers today, with an increasing incidence of loud or high-pitched signals or shrieks occurring over the phone line.

Sufferers report symptoms including extreme pain, tinnitus, (constant ringing in the ears), vertigo, burning sensations and degenerative hearing loss.

"Although these loud and high-pitched tones can affect anyone, the problem is exacerbated when using a headset, and call center workers are those most often affected by acoustic shock", Vivette Horrex from the of the Communications Electrical Plumbing Union said.

Vivette, who attended a conference on acoustic shock this week, will be calling on call center employers to introduce measures to prevent acoustic shock.

Vivette said " it appears that the latest technology of sound shields, which will soon be available, will help to overcome the problem of acoustic shock by limiting the output of headsets to an acceptable level, thus removing the high pitched sound".

"A consultant for Telstra has documented 300 cases of acoustic shock and the problem is well known. Our union will make sure that our members are provided with these shields once they are available", Vivette further stated

"Some call centers have particularly high rates of acoustic shock and the union will be calling for these centers to be properly designed and implement the use of the headset amplifier, ie sound shield, to reduce the risks", Vivette went onto say.

For further information go to http://www.hearing.com.au

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Issue 106 contents

Interview: In Exile
Burmese's government in exile's Minister for Justice U Thein Oo talks about a struggle for democracy that has become a test of international solidarity.

Politics: A National Disgrace
Labor's IR spokesman Arch Bevis gives his take on the workers entitlements issue and its mismanagement by the Howard Government.

E-Change: 2.2 The Information Organisation
Peter Lewis and Michael Gadiel look at how network technologies will change the way organizations operate in the Information Age.

Media: The Fine Print
Mark Hebblewhite looks at how the major dailies handled the Tri-Star dispute and finds that the story really does depend on the telling.

Human Rights: A People Besieged
Labor MLC Janelle Saffin, an active supporter of the pro-Democracy movement in Burma, sets out the issues behind the ILO sanctions.

International: Postcard From Brazil
The CFMEU�s Phil Davey reports on a rural movement that puts our National Farmers Federation to shame.

History: Indonesia Calling
They needed no resolutions. Soldiers and workers who did not know one another moved together, the black ban started to reach out across the harbour from the noisy, smoke-filled room.

Solidarity: On the Frontline
Australian trade unionists are providing practical help for the Burmese through projects funded by APHEDA-Union Aid Abroad.

Satire: Skase 'Too Ill' to Fly Home for Burial
Spanish authorities have deemed Christopher Skase too ill to return to Australia for his own funeral.

Review: Living Silence
In these extracts from her new book, Christina Fink goes inside Burma to find a world where military repression is slowly crushing a people.

» Revealed: ABC Censors Industrial Reporting

» WorkCover Revisited � Public Sector Laws Rammed Through

» Bras First in Burma Boycotts

» Tri Star Only the Start of Entitlements Push

» New Spying Tactics Hit Work Cars

» Howard�s Secret Anti-Worker Plans

» Direct Action to Increase Nurses' Worth

» High Court: Courier Was Employee

» Victory for Academic Freedom

» Put A Stop To Acoustic Shock

» Builders' Bucks: Payroll Tax Evasion Rife

» Tassie Workers Brew Up a Storm

» HIH Collapse Hits Arts Industry

» Labour for Hire Not Entitlements

» Rail Inquiry Into Treatment of Homeless

» ACTU Awards To Reward Union Excellence

» Activist Notebook