I have not been following this thread, but I know years ago there were DOT rules in at least one state forbidding people from driving trucks with headphones (I know this because I have a friend who got a ticket for driving a U-Haul with headphones on).  I personally do not mind music in my lab, in fact, I like it, and yes, I play music.  But it is public where everyone can hear it and thus I keep it at a reasonable level.
 
Now, if an accident was to occur, or if an employee who was using headphones action caused some sort of litigation to be set in place against you, I suspect it would be easy for a lawyer to make an argument that such a policy (allowing headphones) was not prudent, even if that was not the case [read from the perspective of God].  Of course you know your work environment and you know the responsibilities of your employees.
 
That's my two cents worth.  

----- Original Message -----
From: "Kvaternick, Valerie" 
Date: Monday, March 17, 2008 4:44 pm
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] Headphone use in labs
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU

> Radios and some iPODS are used in the labs.  It is an 
> individual choice and
> has not been a distraction such that work is not done or is done 
> incorrectly.Some people just work better with music.  It 
> may be recommended that if sound
> cancelling headphones are used, one ear is left open to ensure 
> emergencymessages are heard.
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On 
> Behalf Of
> Hadden, Susan [PRDUS]
> Sent: Friday, March 14, 2008 4:31 PM
> To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
> Subject: [DCHAS-L] Headphone use in labs
> 
> Some of our lab staff (pharma R&D) would like to wear iPods and 
> similardevices while working. We're not too keen on the idea, 
> the main reason being
> lack of focus on their work tasks (like cell phone use while 
> driving). How
> are the rest of you handling this issue? 
> 
> Thanks, 
> 
> Susan Hadden
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***********************************************************
Robert E. Belford
Department of Chemistry
University of Arkansas at Little Rock
http://www.ualr.edu/rebelford
501-569-8824

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