UnconTROLLed
perfection
A deaf person generally has developed higher visual acuity to compensate for the loss of hearing.
Being deaf does not distract from the job; can you say that about headphones?
And in the same breathe, the cord that connects to your headphones...hazard.
Whomever made the deaf person to Ipod argument should have their brain checked.
The thing is though, in our hub, the radio (which is wired throughout the "hub" parts - primary, small sort) is usually very loud. It alone can cause you not to hear thigns in your surroundings.
Also, I would like to add that the newer generation headphones are wireless and do not have that "hazard" cord.
Anyway, to my knowledge, crackign down on either usage of headphones/ipod/music device, headphone in one ear or any ear, etc is usually a flavor of the month type thing and only there to bring morale down within the work environment to either a single person or a few people. I'd have to agree with ORLY on that issue.
IF it is claimed that for safety reasons Ipod, headphone, etc are not allowed - then is it not ironic that one of the unsafest companies that couldnt give a rats about safety beyond the insurance numbers and injury related numbers, is harping safety by limiting the use of portable music? Of all the possible upgrades, additions, clerical mats, 3 point seatbelts, that could be improved upon/added...you get the idea.