Transcript Safe Use of Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

Safe Use of Display Screen
Equipment (DSE)
• This presentation will look at:
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What is required by H&S legislation;
The health risks associated with DSE;
How to avoid potential health problems;
Workstation assessments.
What is Display Screen
Equipment?
• The definition of display
screen equipment covers all
equipment that uses both
cathode ray and liquid crystal
displays for the display of
words, numbers, graphs, etc,
with the exception of
televisions and video monitors.
What is a Workstation?
• The Furniture (Desk
and chair);
• Computer hardware
and associated
equipment;
• The immediate working
environment
The Health and Safety (Display
Screen Equipment) Regulations
• This legislation requires
employers to:
- Analyse computer workstations in
order to assess and reduce risks.
- Provide computer `users` with
eye and eyesight tests.
- Provide `users` with breaks /
changes of activity.
- Provide information and training.
Are you a Display Screen User?
• People who use DSE more or less
continuously on most days are
users so usually are others who:
- normally use DSE for continuous
or near continuous spells of an
hour or more at a time;
- Use it in this way more or less
daily;
- Have to transfer information
quickly to or from the DSE; and
- Need to apply high levels of
attention and concentration.
The Display Screen User
• The human body is
not designed to sit
at a computer for
long periods of
time.
Health Problems Associated with
VDU Work
• Upper limb disorders
(often known as
repetitive strain
injuries);
• Back ache;
• Fatigue and stress; and
• Temporary eye strain
(but not eye damage)
and headaches.
Other health and safety concerns
include:
• Epilepsy;
• Skin problems;
• Electro magnetic
radiation;
• Effects on pregnant
women;
• Electrical safety; and
• Trailing cables.
Risk factors include:
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Frequency of use;
Duration of use;
Intensity and pace of use;
Discretion the user has over
the extent and method of
use;
• Working environment; and
• Furniture and equipment.
Causes of upper limb disorders:
• Prolonged static posture of
the back, neck and head;
• Poor posture;
• Awkward positioning of the
hands and wrists;
• High workloads and tight
deadlines (keying rates);
• Frequent twisting of the head
and neck.
Causes of stress:
• Pressure to meet
deadlines;
• If the system does not
function well;
• Lack of training on how to
operate the system;
• Poor work planning and
organisation;
• Due to performance being
monitored.
Causes of eye strain:
• Long periods of intense
concentration on the screen;
• Poor legibility of the screen
or source documents;
• A flickering screen;
• Low humidity; and
• Poor lighting,glare and
reflections.
Prevention is the Best Cure!
• Information and training;
• Eye / eyesight tests;
• Adjustable computer
hardware;
• Well designed furniture;
• Effective work
organisation;
• A suitable working
environment; and
• Workstation assessments.
Information and training should
include:
• Use of the software /
system;
• The potential risks to health;
• Precautions to reduce the
risks, such as the adjustment
of the chair and computer
equipment;
• The importance of taking
regular breaks / changes of
activity.
Eyesight Tests
• Employers should provide
`users` with an eyesight test
upon request;
• If a user needs glasses
specifically for VDU use, the
employer is liable for paying
the cost of a basic pair of
frames and lenses.
• It is normal for employers to
make a standard contribution
towards the costs.
Adjustable Computer Equipment
• The computer equipment
should be adjustable to
suit YOU;
• Monitors should swivel
and tilt;
• Keyboards should
separate from the
screen and tiltable
(ergonomic keyboards
may help).
Well Designed Furniture - Desk
• Large enough for the
computer and other
equipment;
• Matt finish (nonreflective)
• Adequate leg room to
allow freedom of
movement;
• Document holder.
Well Designed Furniture - Chair
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Height adjustable;
Adjustable back support;
Comfortable;
Freedom of movement;
Stable; and
Footrest provided if
required.
Work Organisation
• The work should be
organised to allow for
regular breaks or changes of
activity;
• Exercise routines can help;
• Users should be allowed
some discretion on how they
are going to carry out their
work.
The Working Environment
• Space;
• Lighting;
• Reflections and
glare;
• Noise;
• Heat; and
• Humidity.
Work with Portable DSE
• Portable DSE such as
laptop and notebook
computers, is subject to
the same requirements if
it is in prolonged use;
• The manual handling risk
should also be considered;
• The portable DSE user
should be trained to
undertake their own risk
assessment.
Workstation Assessment
• Suitable and sufficient;
• Usually involves a
checklist;
• Its purpose is to assess
and reduce risks;
• Must be reviewed if they
are no longer valid or if
there are changes.
Self Assessment Checklist
• A checklist is a simple aid to help the user to
assess their own workstation.
• A trained assessor will then go over the
completed checklists, clarify doubtful points
and tackle the problems the user can’t solve.
• The user should review their assessment if a
significant change is made to their
workstation, for example when it is relocated
or a different screen is installed.
1. Working Environment
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Is the lighting at your workstation
Too bright?
Too dark?
About right?
Do you get any reflections on your screen?
Have you control of the lighting at your workstation (e.g.
window blinds)?
Is excessive noise from the equipment a problem?
Have you enough space around your workstation?
Is the area around your workstation clear of trip hazards
such as trailing cables?
Is the room temperature / humidity comfortable?
Can you see any reflections on
your screen?
• Measures to reduce
glare:
- Reposition your screen
(900 to light source)
- Install blinds
- Fit window film
- Change light fittings
Improving the Environment
• Humidifiers or pot
plants can be used to
provide a comfortable
level of humidity.
• Circulate fresh air if
possible.
2. The Display Screen
• Is the angle of the monitor easy to adjust?
• Does the monitor swivel freely?
• Is the monitor set at a comfortable position for
you?
• Is it easy to adjust the brightness and contrast
between the characters and the background?
• Is the text size comfortable to read?
• Is the image on the display free of flicker and
movement?
• Is an adjustable document holder available?
How far away from the monitor
are you?
• The screen should be
roughly arms length
away from you;
• The depth of your
desk should allow you
to position your
monitor at a suitable
viewing distance.
Is your monitor at the correct
height?
• When your chair has
been adjusted so that
your forearms are
horizontal, your eyes
should roughly be the
same height as the top
of the monitor.
• You may have to use
blocks under the
monitor.
Is the monitor directly in front
of you?
• You should be able to
sit comfortably looking
straight at the screen
without twisting;
• If you need to turn to
work to one side,
swivel your chair
rather than twist your
head or back.
3. The Keyboard
• Is the keyboard separate
from the screen?
• Does the keyboard tilt?
• Is it possible to find a
comfortable keying position?
• Are the characters on the
keys clear?
• Is the mouse / trackball
positioned close to the user?
• Does the device work
smoothly at a speed to suit
you?
Devices such as a mouse,
trackball, etc.
• Avoid overreaching;
• Most devices are best
placed as close as
possible, eg right
beside the keyboard;
• Keep your arm relaxed
and wrist straight;
• A combined mouse mat
and gel wrist rest may
help.
4. The Furniture
• Is the work surface large enough for all necessary
equipment, papers,etc?
• Can you comfortably reach all the equipment and papers that
you need to use?
• Is the desktop wide enough for you to rest your hands in
front of the keyboard?
• Are all surfaces free from glare and reflections?
• Is the chair suitable and stable?Is the chair seat and
backrest adjustable?
• Are forearms horizontal and eyes roughly at the same height
as the top of the monitor?
• Is there enough legroom under the desk?
• Are your feet flat on the floor or is a foot rest provided?
Are you sitting comfortably?
• Never cross your legs;
• Change position
regularly;
• Get up and walk around
regularly;
• You may need to use a
footrest.
Don’t be a Slouch!
• Set the backrest to
support your back in a
comfortable position;
• The chair arms should
allow you to pull the
chair in far enough for
the backrest to be
effective.
Keep the Office Tidy
• Do not store items
under your desk as
this can restrict
legroom and affect
your posture.
• Prevent trip
hazards - use cable
straps to keep
cables away from
your feet.
5. About Yourself
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If you use a computer frequently, do you suffer from:
Sore, itchy eyes?
Headaches?
Aches and pains in the neck, wrist or fingers?
Have you been provided with adequate training in the use of
any relevant software?
• Are you aware of the policy on eye and eyesight testing? If
not ask!
• Do you take regular breaks working away from the DSE?
• Have you identified any other problems with your
workstation / working environment?
Watch Your Eyes
• Adjust the screen to suit your
personal needs;
• Look away from the screen now
and again and focus on
something in the distance;
• Try to make a point of blinking
to keep your eyes lubricated;
• Move your eyes from side to
side and up and down
• Close your eyes to shut out the
light for a few seconds.
Some simple exercises can help:
Plan Your Work!
• Add variety
• Make good use of your
breaks - move away from
your computer;
• Filing and fetching
documents - allows you to
stand up and move about;
• When answering the phone
take your eyes off the
screen and rest your hands.
If You Have a Problem
Report It!