Yes they create a big hazard in refineries the use of ear buds Can prevent the employee for hearing supervision calling for them and if they are using them that means their phone is on and electronics can make certain switch boards malfunction and if you are near any vapor is can cause it t ignite and if they are on their phone they are not focusing on the task I would not allow them

Would be an interesting survey to see how many accidents are tied to employees using earbuds. I have two major issues with earbuds: 1) They are not a replacement for regular hearing protection. I think there is potential for employees to misuse them. 2) They could be a distraction on the floor and prevent an employee from recognizing a hazardous situation.

That being said I think there's probably ways to use them safely. For example, an office environment where it's normally quiet is probably fine to use them.

I say no use. This is because they cause distraction and if there is a shift at hearing testing time that could be it.

I don’t think earbuds would be appropriate in an industrial/manufacturing environment because they could interfere with communication and become a safety issue. I’ve seen them interfere with communication in the office environment, but it would be tough to justify restricting them there if constant communication isn’t needed.

Here is OSHA’s comment:
https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2019-09-06-0

September 06, 2019

[Name withheld]

Thank you for your letter to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) Directorate of Enforcement Programs. You requested a clarification on the use of headphones to listen to music on a construction site. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation only of the requirements discussed and may not be applicable to any questions not delineated within your original correspondence. Your specific question is paraphrased below, followed by OSHA’s response.

Question: Some headphones are equipped with a built-in volume limiter and are marked as “OSHA approved” for use in the workplace. Is there a specific OSHA regulation that prohibits the use of headphones to listen to music on a construction site?

Response: No, there is no specific OSHA regulation that prohibits the use of headphones on a construction site. OSHA’s standard for Occupational Noise Exposure in construction, 29 CFR 1926.52, sets permissible noise exposure limits in Table D-2 and requires the employer to protect employees subject to sound levels exceeding these limits. OSHA’s Hearing Protection standard, 29 CFR 1926.101, requires that ear protective devices be provided by the employer and used wherever necessary to reduce noise levels below Table D-2 limits. A portable music player is not a substitute for hearing protection, however. The noise exposure on the jobsite, or through the use of volume-limiting headphones, must not exceed the Table D-2 limits.

The use of headphones on a construction site may be permissible at managerial discretion, unless such use creates or augments other hazards apart from noise. For example, struck-by hazards are one of the four leading causes of death in construction. It is the employer’s responsibility to ensure that employees are not exposed to struck-by hazards while performing their work. Listening to music may produce a safety hazard by masking environmental sounds that need to be heard, especially on active construction sites where attention to moving equipment, heavy machinery, vehicle traffic, and safety warning signals may be compromised.

Additionally, some manufacturers may claim that their products are “OSHA approved” or “100% OSHA compliant.” OSHA does not register, certify, approve, or otherwise endorse commercial or private sector entities, products, or services. Therefore, any such claims by a manufacturer are misleading.

Thank you for your interest in occupational safety and health. We hope you find this information helpful. OSHA’s requirements are set by statute, standards, and regulations. Our letters of interpretation do not create new or additional requirements but rather explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances. This letter constitutes OSHA’s interpretation of the requirements discussed. From time to time, letters are affected when the Agency updates a standard, a legal decision impacts a standard, or changes in technology affect the interpretation. To assure that you are using the correct information and guidance, please consult OSHA’s website at http://www.osha.gov. If you have further questions, please feel free to contact the Office of Health Enforcement at (202) 693-2190.

Sincerely,



Patrick J. Kapust, Acting Director
Directorate of Enforcement Programs

In a office at a desk I don’t see a issue in the field or anywhere your doing Physical work or operating machinery 100 % NO

Hello everyone,

wearing earbuds (or any other headphones) is prohibited in our company. Also is prohibited to hold a telephone or other spoken or recording device in the hands or otherwise.

Excellent discussion on the use of earbuds in the workplace. I totally agree with everyone's input in this discussion.
Safety Share:

So one of my clients had a contractor on site to widening the haul roads so that the trucks bring ing in the wind turbine components could turn with the trailer. Two individuals were tasks with spreading out the gravel. One person was operating a skid steer, and the other individual was a spotter and was using a shovel to smooth out the smaller material missed by the skid steer's bucket. So what happened next was the individual that was on the ground was struck by the skid steer and was run over. The individual that was struck was extremely fortunate that is alive today. However, they will never work in the construction field again due to severe injuries. So one of the many contributing factors in this incident was that the individual was wherein earbuds at the time of this incident.

Yes they create a hazard! Will they still be able to hear the fire alarm go off? Will they be able to hear a forklift honking their horn? They could potentially be injured because they aren't fully aware of their surroundings.