Posted By Leon Zacharow
Due to the current financial climate our IT department have been tasked to make savings in the current financial year. One of the ways they are looking at is to re-distribute and re-use returned Blackberry devices rather than discard them and buy new.
One of the Directors has refused to accept this due to the potential infection risk.
Whilst we see this as low risk and will ensure that the devices have been thoroughly wiped down with the necessary cleaners and sanitisers, I was wondering what other forum members do in their companies.

I would also be interested to know if anyone knows of any research that has been undertaken on this matter.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Leon

Posted By Chris Packham
To add to Adam's posting, I assume that your Director does not fly. Studies have shown high levels of bacteria in the recirculated air in aeroplanes. Or does he sit there with a face mask on? (If so how does he drink the champagne?)

Chris

Posted By DM23
The Director simply wants his 'new' Blackberry!!!! He obviously feels aggrieved that he is having to stoop to such low levels as "a second hand phone" I find it quite amusing actually.

D

Posted By Rodger Alan Ker
One would presume that someone of his exalted status would have PA to carry out such minor tasks for him.

(If times are getting so tough that second hand blackberries are being considered, perhaps suggest that he may wish to dispense with his PA and do other things for himself)

Posted By Barry Cooper
No wonder health and safety gets bad press.
Tried a BB once thought it was rubbish, went back to my reliable Sony Ericsson

Barry

Posted By SteveD-M
Simple solution..

He could buy his own!

Posted By AMelrose
So is he getting a new chair, desk, computer (mouse and keyboard especially), desk phone, pens, paper and whatever else he may use during the day when he's in the office just in case he gets a nasty bug from one of those?

And what about that private toilet cubicle with his name on it {which must include a sink and one of those fancy Dyson super-duper hand drier machines}.

Then there's the company car (must be brand new with no delivery mileage, private plane as can't fly to business meetings with the rest of the population..

Sorry, but he's having a laugh. Give him a couple of antibacterial wet wipes. If he doesn't like it, say he can buy his own.

[I inherited a phone at work...hardly use it and most of the calls are asking if my predessor fancies a game of 5 aside footy on Thursday night...was even asked if I'd consider playing as they were short a few bodies!].

Posted By Wil
I always try to remain objective about these things and only come to conclusions I can justify. This chap may in all honesty have a compulsive disorder so I wouldn't jump the gun just yet.
There is more than one way for H&S to get a bad name in this world and one sure way is for fellow professionals jumping the gun, making false assumptions and coming up with a less than objective solution or answer to a problem.
It is so easy to ride the tide that is in front of you.

Posted By MickN
Maybe it's from a new hypoallergenic range they have.

Merv, you need a new phone mate. And a hands free, bluetooth system is what you need, it's liberating.

Mick

Posted By SueC
Hi Leon

I agreed with most of the other opinions on here that it sounds very like your Director really just wants a new Blackberry rather than one that has been sullied by one of their employees!

The company I previously worked for used to collect all phones/BB's from employees who left or had upgrades (when you got promoted you got a better phone!), and these were then redistributed when necessary, after being cleaned etc. and to my knowledge no one ever succumbed to any harm as a result of having one of these phones.

Posted By joolz040770
Excellent! I thought I was the only one. I work in the public sector and Hygiene complaints are often sent to me as an excuse from staff(senior and junior) to obtain new kit. It is absolutely hilarious. I politely advise them of our Corporate Social Responsibility and that usually works.

Posted By Phil Rose
He/She, should be more worried about blackberry thumb - LOL

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4222365.stm

Posted By Pete48
Clearly none of you have ever been privileged to frequent the ivory towers, gilded halls and mahogany corridors of executive land. Your lack of understanding and compassion for a fellow human being is almost scandalous.
If you had frequented such places you would know that the welfare facilities are indeed worthy of a golden key to unlock them and people offer to do things for you and indeed sometimes insist that is they who must do them for you. The personal car arrives to take you wherever or you drive your super exec car straight into the exec garage. Your locker at work is a walk in wardrobe with everything you might need. You are just not exposed to the horrors of everyday humdrum life and have no naturally acquired immunity to common hazards such as those that may attack mere employees. Think then of the fear generated by such a request as using secondhand equipment. My goodness it will be plastic seats in the toilets next!
I think you have all missed the significant risk. This may well be a work related stress issue rather than the highlighted infection risk.
With apologies for acting in a Friday manner on a Tuesday evening, it's the clocks changing you know, takes me weeks to get back in step.