It would be a shame to lose the radio/music.  However, it is very clearcut that earphones impede communication. There are many many examples of where earphones/buds are forbidden for safety reasons.

Perhaps as a compromise, you could specify that at least one hearing appendage be unimpeded at all times.  It is possible to listen to just one ear-bud at a time.

G

(grooving to NPR at the moment)

Database Central

We seem to have devolved into a society where it's acceptable to walk along, all but oblivious to one's surroundings, communing with cell phones, I-Pods, and whatever electronic whoosie that's possible to hang on ones head, and I for one just detest it. I find it really dehumanizing.

Listening to the radio? That's something you do with your coworkers, it's OK as long as it isn't too loud. I'm easy, I'll even listen to...Musak if it's the consensus. But, plugged into some gizmo, such that one isn't all there? No way.

Save it for the bus ride home.

 

The same might be true to some extent with a conventional pocket transistor radio, with an earpiece. A radio in an open room is background noise, which obviously has to be low enough for people to talk over. An IPOD acts like a much louder radio, where they may not hear that buzzer, shout, or whatever. I know that I've walked down the street, and could hear what people were listening to, from three or four feet away. I doubt they hear anything else, and it is no wonder they become oblivious. Scary related development: I've noticed is people driving, while listening to these things. It's probably impossible for the to hear sirens from emergency vehicles, which is a  whole other story. 

I think it is much worse to have a chatty coworker blabbing in my ear than listening to my ipod.  Some people have way to much time on their hands when you start worrying about music at work.

Ear buds provide an NR rating of less than 5, thus they do not reduce sound.  I don't understand completely the safety issue.  It has been my experience that people claim it is a safety issue because  it is the easiest argument to make.  I don't think having good hearing is a necessity for good lab practices or safety.  I have worked people who are deaf in the lab.  Never had any problems with burned fingers from autoclave trays or burning acid.

If an employee gets burned because they touch an autoclave, you need to train the employee not to touch things without verifying that they are cool, or you need to keep your hot stuff in a secure area until it cools.  The only safety issue your lab has is inadequate training and procedures.  The ipod probably has little to do with loss time accidents or injuring claims.