Bone Conduction vs. In-Ear or Over-the-Ear Headphones
What are the latest research, approaches, or policies regarding the use of bone conduction headphones in a work environment?
Are people allowing them vs. fighting the use of in-ear or over-the-ear headphones and unpopular policy enforcement? The over and in-ear products are obvious risks in a warehouse or on a jobsite, but does bone conduction avoid situational awareness pitfalls, allowing employees to still listen to music, podcasts, etc.?
For many (most?), some music or other background noise can help with job satisfaction and ultimately productivity. Can we balance that and safety with this "newer" technology?
For the purpose of this discussion, assume noise exposure and related PPE is not a factor. (Pic for attention. Not a product promotion.)
Comments (7)
On one hand, I acknowledge that they can be a morale booster. A lot of people enjoy listening to music at work.
On the other hand; bone conduction headphones offer increased situational awareness compared to traditional headphones, but they still pose a risk of accidents due to reduced situational awareness and potential distractions.
Depending on nature of work, I could still see them falling off in and around machinery etc.
I agree with Branden to a large part! A manufacturing facility is a very dangerous place! Being aware of your surroundings and the dangers all around you is the most important component of keeping yourself safe! I started in a large automotive iron foundry as a supervisor. I finished my formal career in manufacturing after 41 years as a HR/Safety Manager in a large assembly/machine shop. I have been a H&S Consultant for 7 years concentrating in what I know best, manufacturing.
On the other hand I am a person that hates to be bored! One of the things I loved about manufacturing and especially of being a supervisor was that I was always so busy there is little time to be bored! I seemed to be happiest the busier I was! In the foundry I would leave the Salaried Shower Room at about 2:00 PM and is seemed like just a few minutes later I was returning dirty, sweating, and exhausted physically and mentally, sometime after 11:00PM. There was a great feeling that I always got that I had lead a dangerous operation and brought a crew of 50 men through it intact and we had made thousands of rear=end housings and drive shaft yokes for cars and trucks. The best feeling was that I knew I had earned every dime they paid me. I much less frequently got that feeling when I left my office later in my career!
My worst times were when sometimes I would go up on the line or stand at a machine and work for several minutes up to a half hour . Even though I knew I was not supposed to "work", do "manual labor" as a supervisor (we were a UAW shop), I thought it important to show my guys I would and could get my hands dirty. Performing a mundane task was the worst as I would find my mind wondering and hard to concentrate on the task at hand! A little music or the news or something helped to pass the time.
So I guess what I am saying a little noise seemed to be helpful with work. I guess you need to find some middle ground, which is very difficult. Of course I say that as I listen to a news network on Sirius Radio while I type this!
These are the only type of headphones I recommend during new hire training for our Summer Seasonals. But you know how it happens. As soon as they leave training, the AirPods go back in. There is no enforcement by their supervisors. So my comments are just lip service. However, I have seen quite a few of our employees in other Divisions use these and they scream their praises. They can connect to your phone for hands-free communication, and you get to listen to music and still wear earplugs.
I have a pair and I wear them occasionally and I like them. However, it is a little freaky the first time you use them b/c your brain is telling you that you are hearing music but people can still talk to you and you can hear them.
I don't like the in-ear or over-ear in production areas or where it hinders situational awareness. The bone-conduction headphones allow you to hear around you pretty well (as long as the employee doesn't turn them up too loud). I use them when riding my bike sometimes & can still hear cars behind me (unless I turn them up too high, which I don't).