Your employer should assess hazards like this and make sure they re put right, e.g. by fixing down trailing wires, putting warnings out when floors are slippery after cleaning, making sure that people working up ladders can t drop heavy objects on people and that they don t get knocked flying themselves. The main illnesses suffered by call centre workers are back strain and RSI, stress, eyestrain, and voice and hearing loss. Back strain and RSI Back strain and RSI can be caused by poor equipment, bad job and workplace design, and the speed at which repetitive tasks are carried out. And you should be trained in how to sit, work, and use your equipment safely for example, by not cradling the phone under your neck. An ergonomic consultant should be asked to advise your employer.
Unions can suggest ones who know about the risks of call centre work.
Usually there are cheap, effective ways of changing the way you work and what you work with. Stress Call centre workers often report suffering workplace stress, usually resulting from having to meet extreme targets. Your employer is also responsible for protecting you from stress at work the TUC has produced guidance on how you and your boss can tackle and prevent workplace stress. Ask for Tackling stress at work . Although there s limited evidence that VDUs themselves cause eye strain, the way you use them certainly can.