call centres

• I work in a call centre. What are the main health hazards?  more...
• I have heard of RSI. What is it?  more...
• What are the symptoms of RSI?  more...
• What causes RSI?  more...
• I think I am suffering from RSI. What should I do?  more...
• What should my employer do to prevent RSI?  more...
• How can I make my workstation safe to use?  more...
• How should I adjust my workstation?  more...
• Am I entitled to a free eye test?  more...
• Is my hearing likely to suffer in a call centre?  more...
• What is 'acoustic shock'?  more...
• What is tinnitus?  more...
• How can my employer prevent acoustic shock and hearing damage?  more...
• Can I get ear infections from my headset?  more...
• I suffer from ear waxing. Is it caused by the headset?  more...
• What can I do about ear wax?  more...
• What can I do about angry and abusive calls?  more...
• What if my job is making me feel stressed out?  more...
• What should my employer do about stress?  more...
• I often suffer from a sore throat or cough. Why?  more...
• I am pregnant. What are the risks of working with a computer?  more...

further information

VDUs: An easy guide to the Regulations and Display screen equipment work: Guidance on Regulations, available from Health and Safety Executive (HSE) Books, tel: 01787 881165.

Initial advice on call centre working practices, available from HSE, tel: 08701 545500, reference LAC 94/1, free.

The RSI Association publishes a regular newsletter, and can put you in contact with local RSI groups, tel: 020 7266 2000. Web site: www.rsi-uk.org.uk.

Office health and safety: A safety rep's guide (1999), price £3.25, and RSI: A trade unionists' guide (2000), price £3.15, Labour Research Department, tel: 020 7928 0621.

Call Centres: The health and safety issues (2000), Amicus/MSF, tel: 020 7505 3000.

Health and Safety in Call Centres, GMB Health and Safety unit, tel: 020 8947 3131.

Guidelines for good practice, Telephone Helplines Association, tel: 020 7248 3388, price £10.

Holding the Line: A negotiator's guide to good employment practices in call centres, 2001, UNISON health and safety unit, 1 Mabledon Place, London WC1H 9AJ, tel: 020 7388 2366.

It's your call, TUC, tel: 020 7636 4030.

RAC rescues the call centre image, (2000), Paul Suff, Occupational Health Review, November 2000, available from IRS, tel: 020 7354 6761, price £12 (single copy).

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