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Working Safely With Display Working Safely With Display Screen EquipmentScreen Equipment
Mark Mallen
Health And Safety ManagerFenlock-Hansen Ltd
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Please Please
Switch off or place on silent
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Introduction Introduction
DSE?Why am I here?
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Course ContentCourse Content
Legal framework Hazards and potential health effectsUsers and those at riskSetting up workstationsUsing the workstationExercisesSummary
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Legal FrameworkLegal Framework
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
– the ‘VDU Regs’– Part of the ‘six pack’– Aim of preventing ill health – Imposes legal responsibilities and duties
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Legal FrameworkLegal Framework
Employers’ Duties
– Assess risks– Provide a healthy workplace– Ensure workstations comply– Eyesight tests– Provide information, instruction and
training
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Legal FrameworkLegal Framework
Employees’ duties
– Follow the rules – Work safely– Report problems
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Hazards And Potential Health Hazards And Potential Health EffectsEffectsHazards
– Poor posture– Too long– Poor working environment– Poor management of workload
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Hazards And Potential Health Hazards And Potential Health EffectsEffects Potential health effects
– Visual discomfortSore IrritatedTired
– Headaches– Upper limb disorders– Aches and pains – Stress
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Vision Vision
Eyesight gradually worsens with ageContact lenses
– A dry atmosphere– Blinking less
Use the Hansen Eyecare schemeReport problems Seek medical advice
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MusculoskeletalMusculoskeletal
General fatigue, aches and pains– Workstation problem– May indicate other problems
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MusculoskeletalMusculoskeletal
Many musculoskeletal disorders start with – Numbness– Tingling– Aching hands, fingers or limbs
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Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal
Long term– Problems may get worse
Don’t leave things If you suffer discomfort
– Report itSeek medical advice asap
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Common MisconceptionsCommon Misconceptions
Do not give off harmful radiationCause complications during pregnancy
– Source: national radiological protection board
Unlikely to induce epileptic seizures or fits
Discuss concerns with your doctor
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Common MisconceptionsCommon Misconceptions
Eyesight– Do not damage eyesight– Any concerns
Seek advice
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Users and Those at RiskUsers and Those at Risk
Defined as– Have no alternative– Need significant training or particular skills– Continuous spells of an hour or more– Use the equipment most days– Have to input data quickly or accurately– Need high levels of concentration or
undertake critical work
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UsersUsers
Hansen define regular users as– Either at least one-hour continuous work
or– Two hours accumulatively
Risk low if users follow safe working procedures
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High Risk UsersHigh Risk Users
Working all day with a screen InputtingWord processingA computer aided design (CAD)
operator
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Moderate Risk UsersModerate Risk Users
A secretary or personal assistant
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Low Risk UsersLow Risk Users
A salesperson that inputs daily sales figures
Somebody that does not use a DSE every day
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Not UsersNot Users
A senior manager who uses the screen for brief enquiries
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Not UsersNot Users
A receptionist, who occasionally, interrogates a system
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Assessing the RiskAssessing the Risk
– Assess each workstation– Trained assessors– Standard pro forma– ‘Ergonomic approach’
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Setting Up WorkstationsSetting Up Workstations
Ergonomics– Adapting the task to fit the worker– Adjust and use the equipment in an
ergonomic wayNo single, perfect workstation Adjusted to individual’s requirements
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The WorkstationThe Workstation
The chairA footrest (if required)HIDsThe display screenThe worktop
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The WorkstationThe Workstation
A properly adjusted workstation– Comfortable and pleasant to use – Prevents ill health– May increase productivity
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Posture and SeatingPosture and Seating
Working in an awkward position
Short term– Aches, pains and fatigue
Long term harm – Strain on joints and muscles
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Seat Height and TiltSeat Height and Tilt
Height– Forearms horizontal with the keyboard
Tilt (if fitted)– Thighs horizontal
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Seat Height and TiltSeat Height and Tilt
Feet flat on the floor or footrest
Weight on buttocks– Not thighs
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Back SupportBack Support
Should fit the curve of the spineAdjust the angle (if possible)
– Upright posture – Erect head and relaxed shoulders
Varying position helps avoid stiffness
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Arm RestsArm Rests
Personal preferenceMay be beneficialShould not interfere with keying Should allow the chair under the deskNot a legal requirement
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Chair PositionChair Position
Allow room– Prevent stiffness
Do not store items under the desk If the desk is not height adjustable
– Set the chair for the best keyboard height
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Posture and SeatingPosture and Seating
In summary– Head up– Back straight – Lower back supported – Shoulders back – Forearms level with the desk – Wrists relaxed– Feet flat on the floor or on the footrest
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KeyboardKeyboard
Directly in front of the userGap to rest the heels of the handsFingers comfortably on the keys
– Adjust the angle of slopePosition devices
– Do not stretch too far
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‘‘Mouse Work’Mouse Work’
Comfortable and convenient positionMove keyboard until it is requiredDevice used most often to the frontAdjust the controls to personal
preference
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Keyboard and Mouse WorkKeyboard and Mouse Work
Caution, with extreme concentration– Users may become fixated– Ignore arm and hand position– Causing cramp and wrist strain
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The Display ScreenThe Display Screen
Adjust to suit workplace lightingMoving the screen may eliminate
reflectionCheck the screen for glare or
reflections
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The Display ScreenThe Display Screen
Glare– Can be irritating– Cause eye fatigue– Force users to adopt awkward postures
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The Display ScreenThe Display Screen
Face the screen looking slightly downThe top of the screen slightly below
eye heightViewing distance between 350mm and
750mm
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The Display ScreenThe Display Screen
Tilted at right angles to the line of sightCheck refresh rate, 80hzAdjust the brightness and contrast Re-adjust if light levels change Large screens need more desk
space,readjust
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The Display ScreenThe Display Screen
Keep the screen clean – Degrades the image– Highlights glare– May make reasonably positioned screen
difficult to use
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Glare FiltersGlare Filters
Can reduce reflectionsMay affect qualityUse where moving a screen or light
source cannot reduce glareShould only be used as a last resort
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HousekeepingHousekeeping
Everything within easy reachStretching or reaching can cause
stress and strain
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HousekeepingHousekeeping
Keep cables under control to prevent tripping
Store work and personal items out of the way
Keep the work area free from clutterKeep papers under control on the deskA tidy desk is a healthy desk
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Adjusting WorkstationsAdjusting Workstations
Ideal position – Display screen and keyboard – Directly in front of the user
Some tasks require more space in front Some touch typists prefer a document
holder– Prevents users frequently moving their
heads
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Using the WorkstationUsing the Workstation
The risks from using DSE
– Working for too long in one position– Working with a poor posture– Working for too long without a break
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Most at RiskMost at Risk
Inputting large amounts of data within limited time scales
Data input clerksWord processor operatorsCAD operators
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Reducing the RiskReducing the Risk
Regularly change postureManage the workloadTake regular breaksAbout 5-10 minutes in every hourBreak up the screen work throughout
the day
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Reducing the RiskReducing the Risk
Guidance from the regulations– Breaks of 5 - 10 minutes, every 50 - 60
minutes– Frequent short breaks
If not– Change position regularly– Stand– Flex your body
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Reducing the RiskReducing the Risk
Maintain a good working environment– Reasonable temperature – Acceptable humidity– Reasonably well ventilated
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Exercises to Prevent Aches Exercises to Prevent Aches and Painsand PainsSeek medical advice
– before starting any exercise – or if you have a medical condition
Stop if you experience any pain
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Exercises To Prevent Aches Exercises To Prevent Aches And PainsAnd PainsWarm up
– Flex the fingers and wrist– Rub your hands together to warm up the
muscles
Eyes– Regularly look away from the screen– At objects in the far distance
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Exercises to Prevent Aches Exercises to Prevent Aches and Painsand PainsNeck
– Face straight ahead, slowly turn the head one way then the other
– Roll your head from side to side
Shoulders– Shrug the shoulders and release
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Exercises to Prevent Aches Exercises to Prevent Aches and Painsand PainsArms
– Raise arms over head and stretch
Back– Move slightly forward on the chair– Straighten up, raising chest up and out– Hold for a few seconds, and then relax
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Exercises to Prevent Aches Exercises to Prevent Aches and Painsand PainsWrists and hands
– Flex and rotate the wrists– Spread the fingers as wide as possible
and hold for a few seconds
Repeat a few times
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RememberRemember
These exercises can be undertaken at the workstation
Without much effortWill help to keep joints and muscles
loose and flexible
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In SummaryIn Summary
Health effects biggest issue Ill health can be minimisedSet up the workstation properlyOrganise the workVision problems or headaches
– Ask for an eye test
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In SummaryIn Summary
Take exerciseStillness is our enemyReport problemsBetter to deal with ‘aches and pains’
than ill-health issues
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Working Safely With Display Working Safely With Display Screen EquipmentScreen Equipment
Thanks for listening– Any questions
Be safe