Background Information

Acoustic Safety Programme
The Acoustic Safety Programme is the first Public-Private initiative to protect Business and Call Centre Operators from the causes and symptoms of Acoustic Shock. The Acoustic Safety Programme is an Event and Post-event based end-to-end solution and commences with a series of one-day Conferences including lectures, courses and specialist equipment manufacturer workshops which are then followed with access to e-learning courses and a range of post-event equipment and personnel testing services and support.

An Acoustic Shock is a random frequency surge delivered via a headset, caused by a sudden spike of noise that will damage the human ear. Symptoms can range from a ringing in the ear or Tinnitus to permanent damage of the inner ear affecting hearing or even the organic mechanisms of balance.

The Acoustic Safety Programme has been developed by Lilly Associates in partnership with the Call Centre Management Association. The Acoustic Safety Programme endorses the HSE Acoustic Shock Guidelines which are supported by the Communications Workers Union (CWU), the Institute of Acoustics (IOA), the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI) the Trade Unions Congress (TUC), E-Skills UK, the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and ProCertus Occupational Health Services.

Acoustic Safety Programme conferences
The ASP has organised conferences on November 7 and 11 2005, at the Government’s National Physical Laboratory (a state-of-the–art scientific research centre in Teddington, London), aiming to raise awareness of acoustic shock and introduce solutions to those in the call centre industry and the general public.

The world's leading specialists on Acoustic Shock are presenting at the event, where delegates will have the opportunity to see and hear the impact of personal, business and industry implications for this concern if it is ignored.

Speakers at the conference include; Lord Hunt, Minister for Health and safety in the DWP; Marcus Quilter, Chairman, Acoustic Safety Conference; Richard Barham, Principal Research Scientist, National Physical Laboratory; David Joyce, Communication Workers Union National Health, Safety and Environment Officer; Keith Broughton, former HM Principal Specialist Inspector Noise and Vibration; Hugh Robertson, Senior Policy Officer TUC; Dr. Andrew Graham-Cumming, Specialist Consultant Occupational Physician; Dr. Amir Nooral, Specialist Acoustics Engineer; Adrian Fawden, Specialist Acoustics Injury Lawyer, Simpson Millar Solicitors.

In their workshops they will be demonstrating how the latest monitoring, recording, limitation and prevention devices can help you to protect your staff from Acoustic Shock and Noise Interference.