MOBILE PHONES

The mobile, or cellular, telephone is a modern day example of advanced technology that has been successfully promoted to the mass market. In many workplaces it is now considered an essential tool and can increase business opportunities. A link between mobile telephone use and cancer has been reported in the press but continues to be controversial. Last year a BBC investigation revealed that mobile phone retailers were failing to give proper advice about possible health risks to children.

The government (January 2002), have commissioned a £7.4m extensive research programme using human volunteers to assess the safety of mobile phones that is designed to decide whether mobiles pose a risk. The mobile phone task force will carry out 14 projects designed to settle whether mobiles pose a risk to health. Minister for Public Health Yvette Cooper welcomed the research programme announcement, to which she added, “This package of research projects will make the UK a word leader in determining whether there are health effects from using mobile phones”.

Mobile phone users should:

• Always use a normal phone if there is a choice;
  
• If using a mobile phone, always extend the antennae;
  
• Do not press the mobile phone to the side of the head - leave a gap between the ear and the phone;
  
• Limit the number and duration of calls;
  
• Take adequate rest break after lengthy calls or prolonged use; Avoid using mobile phones in confined spaces (in an enclosed environment a mobile phone can transmit at a higher power level, thus increasing the brain's exposure to electromagnetic radiation; and
  
• Switch to a lower-emission phone or consider fitting a specially designed protective shield, or case to the mobile phone.

The GMB recommends that, for those driving vehicles:

• Under no circumstances us a hand-held mobile phone because of the risk of distraction;
  
• Best practice is that employers should provide mobile phones with an answering facility in vehicles used for work. Drivers should only return calls when the vehicle is stationery;
  
• Whilst driving the only acceptable time to operate a hands-free mobile phone is during an emergency; and
  
• Vehicles, which carry mobile phones, should be fitted with an external aerial.

The law:

• Section 2 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 - employers have a general duty of care to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all their employees; and
  
• The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (1999) - require employers to assess possible risks to health and safety in the workplace.
  

Produced by the GMB, London Region,
Thorne House, 152 Brent Street, Hendon. NW4 2DP
Tel: 020 8202 8272
Fax: 020 8202 2893