Growing concern over the number of injuries and illness to call centre workers caused by 'acoustic shock' will be revealed at a conference next week.

Growing concern over the number of injuries and illness to call centre workers caused by 'acoustic shock' will be revealed at a conference next week. The second Acoustic Safety Conference, which takes place at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow on November 27-28, will also see the first keynote speech of Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH) President Lisa Fowlie since taking the position earlier this month. Lisa will echo concerns raised in Parliament yesterday by the Liberal Democrat MP for Portsmouth South, Mike Hancock, and call for action to find a solution to the acoustic shock problem.

Lisa said: 'Acoustic shock is a pressing health and safety issue.

More research is badly needed to help find ways of controlling it and it is only by working in cooperation with call centres, health experts and health and safety bodies that we'll achieve this.

'I'm alarmed that incidents of acoustic shock, a sudden and unexpected noise that can be received through headphones or an earpiece, are on the increase.

It is something employers need to be aware of, because it's not a cheap business.

'So far, acoustic shock has led to GBP2.5 million being paid out in compensation to 700 people.

That's money that would be better spent elsewhere, and given that the number of cases of acoustic shock could rise in coming years, we need to act now to preserve people's health and to save money.' Around 300 further known cases are also pending and there are believed to be many more people who have experienced acoustic shock but do not realise it.

Over 900,000 people are employed in the call centre industry across the UK.

In a debate in Parliament yesterday (22 November), Mr Hancock highlighted concerns over what government action is being taken on acoustic shock, by asking John Hutton MP, the Secretary State of Work and Pensions, questions on the issue.

This included what equipment is installed to protect his department's call centre workers from acoustic shock and the number of incidents reported to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

The Acoustic Safety Conference will be attended by professionals and managers working in call centre environments, and by health and safety advisers to call centre operators.