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In response to Valerie Kvaternick's comment: I think that the use of headphones should not be an individual choice. This sounds like a rigorous approach but so is the requirement of wearing safety glasses during lab work. An employer can expect the employee to pay undivided attention to the work at hand. The use of personal headphones creates distractions and diminishes focus on the work. The fact that in V. K.'s lab diminished work performance or incorrect work has not been observed is inconclusive. Too often, we pay attention to deficiencies and accidents only after they have happened. And, as has been pointed out by others, there are a number of safety issues to be considered. Most important, you want to have co-workers alert to their work environment and what's happening around them, NOT wrapped up in their own little cocoon. Heinz H. Trebitz, Ph.D. 480 Colby Road N Thetford Center, VT 05075 Tel: 802-785-2129 Fax: 802-785-2124 e-mail: iht63**At_Symbol_Here**valley.net