Telephone / Headset Hygiene   There is an increased risk of infection due to telephones being used all day and headsets being worn for a long period of time. As telephones may be used on a daily basis within an office, it would be highly recommended to provide headsets to each member of staff. If it is unavoidable then headsets may be shared between each employee, increasing the risk of infections being passed from user to user via the foam ear pads and voice tubes. We recommend that if headsets are shared between employees then each user should be issued with a personal pair of foam ear pads and voice tubes. Here are some tips that will minimise the chances of germs and bacteria being spread from person to person:

1. Every user should be provided a headset for their own dedicated use. Sharing headsets is unhygienic.
2. Leatherette or foam ear cushions should be replaced every time a new person uses the headset.
3. Windscreens (microphone covers) or voice tubes should be replaced every time a new person uses the headset.
4. Leatherette or foam ear cushions should be replaced every 6 months or sooner if clogged with makeup or otherwise soiled.
5. Headset plastics, consoles, and equipment should be cleaned on a regular basis using anti-bacterial wipes or non-alcoholic antiseptic solvents, especially when assigning used headsets to new users.
6. Windscreens (microphone covers) or voice tubes should be replaced at least every 6 months.

These recommendations are bare minimum for safe and effective long term headset hygiene and should be used as a guide to maintain health and safety regulations in your company. This will help to create a safer workplace for your employees, but they will also promote greater longevity for your headsets and equipment.