Thanks to the wireless technology boom, the profile of a typical employee has evolved over the last several decades to multi-skilled, multi-tasking individuals working longer and doing more in less time. Just as the workforce has evolved, technology has shaped organisations creating a more global presence, keeping companies connected and available for longer periods of time. While organisations keep up with the growing demands of these faster times, the cracks are beginning to show within the workplace. Currently, work-based illnesses and especially burn-out are increasing, while few corporate risk management practices and preventive measures have been put in place.
We have addressed workers’ safety issues for several decades. There is a wise, old saying:
“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Technologies within the workplace are designed to keep individuals mobile and still connected. Wireless technologies have freed desk-bound individuals making for instantaneous and easily transportable employees. From mobile phones to wireless headsets, video conferencing anywhere in the world to hot desking policies, we are on the move and we can work anywhere. But the technology has progressed so quickly that the checks and balances have struggled to keep up.
Biological Hazards and Legal Exposure
Wireless technology operates off of two-way microwave radiation, but few are educated on the biological hazards and how to reduce risk. More and more workers are compensated in courts as employees sue companies over injuries (including cancers) sustained by prolonged use of their work devices.
(20th April 2017) Associated Press (AP): ‘Italian court finds link between cell phone use and tumor’,1
This Italian court case is an important precedent in the European Union and throughout the world. The situation is tricky for companies that have provided mobile devices (cell phones, tablets, laptops, printers) for their employees, often to be used only through wireless connections.
Generally, employees have a ‘right to know’ about safer use of mobile devices, but few do even though device manuals provide health warnings about prolonged use of these devices. The iPad-manual, for example, states:
Insurance Companies Exclude Coverage
Many are surprised to learn that insurance companies (Lloyd’s of London, Swiss Re, etc.) have already classified cellphone radiation/radio frequency (RF) radiation/EMF in the highest (observable) risk category and some already deny compensation by excluding electromagnetic fields (EMF). For example, Lloyd’s of London states:
Corporate Training Solution
The non-profit Wireless Education has built a Corporate Induction Safety Awareness Course where company employees can quickly come up to speed on wireless technology in order to make smarter choices for its use.
This solution is VERY cost-efficient for employers, considerably less than the average mobile device contract. After taking this 40-minute on-line course each employee will receive a certificate of completion for compliance tracking purposes, and a tip sheet of helpful safety reminders.
Robin Hood Model
As an added bonus for companies focusing on sustainable development and community partnership, for every Corporate Induction Safety Awareness Course license purchased, Wireless Education will donate an equal number of free Schools & Families Course licenses to the school of the company’s choosing. Together, we can teach safer technology practices to protect the children and staff in our local school districts. Safe schools, healthy workplaces: a win-win for all!
Please contact us for additional information on bulk order purchases.
1 https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/apr/21/italian-court-rules-mobile-phone-use-caused-brain-tumour
https://www.wirelesseducation.org/corporate-risk-management-mobiles-right-know/