Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy; Ground Event / Encounter Other / Unknown
Company Policy; Human Factors
There is an overabundance of phone usage and ear buds in co-workers ears while working in the warehouse. The majority of the equipment that is used within our warehouse area is electric with minimal sound emitting from it except for when the horn is used to make people aware it is in use. I am seeing people walking around using video chat which means your vision is not in front of you while you are walking. You are also distracted from everything going on around you. The ear bud usage is steadily increasing ranging from the wireless which are difficult to see to the old fashioned wire hanging from your ear plain as day. There is also equipment being used while the ear buds are in the operator's ear. I have told people that this is a safety hazard and can result in a serious injury or death when you get hit by a piece of the equipment in use. Our Management has briefed this item in the past and the usage of phones and ear buds is not as frequent; but it never completely stops. We also drive on the AOA (Airport Operations Area) and people come in from driving with the ear buds in which is even more unsafe considering you are in control vehicle.
Ground employee reported over-usage of ear buds during warehouse and ground operations; posing a safety hazard.