No More Music for Employees at Marshall Aerospace
Much to the disappointment of young workers at the site, Cambridge-based Marshall Aerospace has put a ban on wearing iPods at work on grounds of safety, pursuant to the advice of health and safety experts, who suggest that listening to music could affect the concentration of workers adversely.
The decision came in contrast to last year’s finding of the University of Cumbria, which suggested that listening to music at work not only helps in motivating the employees and creating a happier work environment but also leads to increased productivity. However, many employers in businesses involving great dangers as well as others prohibit use of headphones at the worksite for safety reasons. Workplace Law Group specialises in employment law, health and safety and premises management – click on NEBOSH General Certificate – for training to help you comply with the law and manage people in the workplace.
In one of the Universities imposing such a ban, the policy statement lays down the reason for the ban as the lack of knowledge amongst its staff or students regarding potential dangers arising out of both their own work and that of others. A greater health and safety risk is that even if one were to make verbal announcements of an impending risk, they might not be able to hear it due to the music and consequently fail to respond, risking their safety.
The spokesperson of the aerospace company also makes similar points stating that although there has not been any occurrence of such nature, there is a continuing risk, especially as younger workers prefer to listen to music while working. The fact that the company is a precision engineering company and makes use of aircrafts and forklift trucks etc. that keep moving on the site, aggravates the risk manifold.
