Posted By anon1234
I seem to recall in the dim and distance past that wipes were provided somehwhere I once worked - I would guess these would be more than adequate if there were perceived to be any concerns. Hoewever, in most cases I'd say this was overkill, but I'm no expert on this in the healthcare arena so perhaps some of our colleagues from that area could comment.

Posted By Bob Shillabeer
A risk assessment on using a telephone, that's bonkers conkers to me. Yes there is a slight risk of infection from using a telephone. There are wipes available,I have some in mydraw, I use them about once a month to wipe the telephone over tokillof any lerking bugs such as colds etc. But after that the use of a telephone is not a risky thing,it is perhaps risky if the phone is used in a palce where other risks may arise,but the use of a telephone itself is not a risky situation. Can peoplethinkabout what they say before posting such nonsence.

Posted By Tabs
"Can peoplethinkabout what they say before posting such nonsence." (sic)

A bit arrogant isn't it?

Perhaps you could think about Norovirus which is perfectly transmissible hand to hand from hard surfaces such as telephones? (and keyboards, and computer mice).

When a phone is used by several people in a health care situation, it is reasonable to at least ask the question.

Stephan, the problem is that the Norovirus, for example, is not killed by alcohol wipes - it needs a bleach based product.

I would suggest you speak to your cleaning specialists and your health carers, and seek their advice.

Posted By Rory Duffy
As someone who has just got over the Novovirus and having worked in Pharmaceutical primary production environments for some time, I can assure you that some people do take this issue seriously. Due to the very low quantities of a pharmaceutical active ingredient needed to have an effect, then hygiene in this environment is very strict. To this end our phones were wiped down every evening by the cleaning contractors as part of their duties. This helped to minimise any potential contact with this highy reactive pharmaceutical chemical (0.005mg/m3). You can probaly apply the same principles to potential infection environments such as you describe. Pay no attention to the "No Riskers" as they ususally fall eventually. There is "risk" and there is "perceived risk" and the only way to seperate the two is to conduct a rational scientific review (risk assessment) of the particular situation. Hope this helps

Posted By Adam Worth
Has no one read Hitch Hikers Guide to the Galaxy :)

The planet concerned payed highly for getting rid of all the telephone cleaners!

Scifi has a habbit of coming true!

Posted By mike morland
I recently had a visit from a company who specialised in the cleaning/sterilising of phones, computers, desk tops etc.

Their demonstration was to wipe a 'cotton bud' type stick over the surface of the phone and around the mouth piece and then measure the micro organisms per square mm using a special piece of kit. They then cleaned the said phone with their own chemicals and re measured the bacteria and of course the number dramatically reduced as you would expect.

Their sales pitch was that by removing the germs there would be a reduction in absenteeism (non quantifiable).

I considered the idea for a moment, whilst in the background of the office I heard one person habitually coughing and another sneezing incessantly, and assessed that all our office staff have their own phone or headset. Other than that, make-up on ear pieces was evident which the girls wiped off using wet wipes.

Then having a call of nature witnessed a colleague leaving the washroom without washing his hands.

Overall assessment -
Cleaning of phones is not a bad idea for those that are shared.
Reducing absenteeism - not so sure.
Probably more germs on door handles and light switches due to multiple use.

Decision -
Cannot justify the spend.
Ask cleaning staff to wipe phones once a week f.o.c.

Regards

Posted By Sally
Adam has missed out the cruicial bit of the hitchhikers story. The rest of the population then died from a virulant bug caused by dirty telephones!

I think this is a classic case of where the first part of a risk assessment is to ask yourself 'is there a risk?' If so as in some specific circumstances mentioed here, then you go on and do a written one. If not then the assessment is no risk and no record need be kept.