health and safety - display screen equipment

7/30/2019 Health and Safety - Display Screen Equipment

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Health and Safety Display Screen Equipment

DSE Assessments


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The common questions often asked:

Can my VDU affect my health?

Am I at risk from using my VDU?

VDUs often blamed (wrongly) for manyhealth problems!

Small proportion of users actually suffer

ill health. Problems caused by the way we useVDUs - not VDUs themselves.


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HANDS

WRISTS

ARMS NECK

SHOULDERS

BACK

Are Aches and Pains caused by using VDUs

WHAT ABOUT RSI?

Users can get aches and pains in their:


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Repetitive Strain injury (RSI)

Popular Term for all the aches & pains wesuffer - but it could be misleading to some

users.Better medical term is:-

Work Related Upper Limb Disorders!

Normally they do not last In some users they may become persistent

or even disabling.


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Can we avoid these aches & pains?

Normally caused by a physical condition!

Could be induced by Stress! Good workstation design and better working

practices will help avoid problems

Prevention is better than the cure iftaken at the earliest stage.


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Other perceived hazards include:

Harmful radiation

Epileptic fits Skin disorders


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The Health and Safety (Display Screen

Equipment) Regulations 1992

Who is affected all staff habitually usingVDUs for a significant part of their working day

1. No discretion on use or non-use

2. Use the screen for at least an hour day3. High levels of concentration needed

4. No readily available alternative


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Employers Responsibilities

To analyse the workstations and

to assess and reduce risks


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GeneralEnvironment

Space, lighting, heat,humidity, noise

Work Chair adjustability

Display Screen Positioning and controls

Work Desk Dimensions, shape andsurface finish

Peripherals Ease of use, noise

Software Suitability and ease of use

The Workstation


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People come in allshapes and sizes

Workstations shouldbe adjustable tomeet the needs ofthe user


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Is there enough roomto change position andvary movement?

Are the levels of light,heat and noisecomfortable?

Does the air feelcomfortable?

Is the environment around

the workstation risk-free?


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The Chair

Set the height of the

chair so your feet arecomfortably flat onthe floor with yourthighs horizontal


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Adjust the back restso that it fitscomfortably into and

supports the lowercurve of the back

Adopt a relaxedupright posture orleaning slightly back


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The Desk

Ideally the desk should be just belowelbow height

Raise your chair until you are properlypositioned

You may need a foot rest


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You must havesufficient desk spaceto carry out your

tasks Try to organise your

work layout so thatthe most frequently

used objects arewithin easy range


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The Screen

The screen shouldbe roughly at armslength

Move it slightcloser or awaydepending on your

focal range


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The top of thescreen should belevel with or

slightly lowerthan your eyes

Your most comfortable viewing zone is30-40 degrees below the horizontal.

Tilt your screen so that it is at rightangles to this normal line of sight


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Tilt the screen toprevent reflections

from overhead lightsor windows

Blinds or the positionof your workstationmay need to be

adjusted to reduceglare caused bysunlight

Compromise!!


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Are the brightnessand/or contrastadjustable?

Does the screenswivel and tilt?

Are the charactersreadable?

Is the image free offlicker and movement?


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The Keyboard

Is the Keyboard

tiltable?

Can you find acomfortable keyingposition?


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Position your keyboardso that there issufficient room to rest

your hands duringpauses in keying

Are the characters onthe keys easily

readable?

Is the keyboard glarefree


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Remember to keephands and wrists in

line with yourforearm


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Can using a mouse cause problems?

Intensive use of a mouse or trackball may wellcause aches & pains to the:-

FINGERS

HANDS

WRISTS ARMS

SHOULDERS


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When using a Mouse

Keep the mouse within reachKeep the wrist straight whenmousing

Maintain good space around

the mouseDont grip the mouse & restfingers lightly, dont press toohard


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How long should I work before taking abreak?

No legal limit Depends on the type of work

Short frequent breaks are the best option

Opportunities to do something else readily

available Should have planned breaks which should

include other office activities - filing/phones!!!


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What can be done to reduce Stress inVDU work?

Usually caused by the pace of work anddeadline pressures. Not by the VDU itself!!!

Using VDUs can often reduce stress for someusers!

Others feel more stress using VDUs due topoor software, lack of individual control overthe process or even lack of user competence.


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I use a laptop - can I take any

precautions?

Design of laptops compromises users due toscreen size and keyboard size - makesprolonged use less comfortable


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Getting it RightHow can you help yourself?

Make full use of the equipment provided

Make yourself comfortable by adjusting theequipment.

Get advice if you are not sure.


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Getting Comfortable

Adjust your chair(forearms horizontal & youreyes level with the top of screen)

Ensure sufficient work space Zone your desk equipment

Arrange the desk to avoid glare & reflectionson the screen

Ensure adequate space under the desk Avoid excess pressure on the backs of the legs

and knees, a footrest may help achieve this


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The Screen

Adjust the contrast and brightness controls tosuit

Ensure a clean screen

Set up the text in the most suitable size andcolour- select colours that are easy on the eye

Look for sharply focused characters with noflicker


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Posture

Dont sit in the same position for long periods

Change your position often

Movement is necessary and is also desirable

Avoid stretching to reach items - organise thezones

If posture is poor then aches & pains mayfollow


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The Keyboard

Are you keyingproperly?

Hands shouldnt bebent at the wrist

The keys should only be

touched softly

Do not over stretch thefingers


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Does the furniture fit the work and

the user?

Is the chair stable?

Do the adjustmentmechanisms work?

Are you comfortable?


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It takes time to settleinto a newworkstation.

You may have to try avariety of positionsbefore you aresatisfied with the

arrangement


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Maintaining good posture helps to alleviatethe problems it also pays to vary your

movements by carrying out different tasks

Simple stretches and exercises help to relievestress and muscle tension


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How do we avoid potential problems?

BY GOOD WORKPLACE AND JOB DESIGN.

BY THE WAY WE USE THE VDU &WORKSTATION.

This means that all VDU users need to beassessed and advised on how to best use the

workstation and achieve optimum safeconditions!


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