Transcript Document
Assessing Display Screen
Equipment
Mark Mallen
Health And Safety Manager
Fenlock-Hansen Ltd
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Introduction
DSE?
Why am I here?
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Course Content
What is display screen equipment
Legal framework
Hazards
Potential health effects
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Course Content
Common misconceptions
Users
Those at risk
Conducting an assessment
Follow-up
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What Is Display Screen
Equipment ?
Known as VDUs
– Computer terminals
– Liquid crystal displays
– Microfiche
– Process control screens
– Not televisions
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Legal 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 Framework
Employers’ Duties
– Assess risks
– Provide a healthy workplace
– Ensure workstations comply
– Eyesight tests
– Provide information, instruction and
training
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Legal Framework
Employees’ duties
– Follow the rules
– Work safely
– Report problems
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Hazards and Potential Health
Effects
Hazards
– Poor posture
– Working for too long
– Poor working environment
– Poor management of workload
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Hazards and Potential Health
Effects
Potential health effects
– Visual discomfort
– Upper limb disorders - RSI
– Aches and pains
– Stress
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Vision
Headaches
Visual fatigue
– Sore
– Irritated
– Tired
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Vision
From
– Working too long
– Dry environment
– Glare
– Existing conditions
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Vision
Can aggravate existing conditions
Eyesight gradually worsens with age
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Vision
Contact lenses
– A dry atmosphere
– Blinking less
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Vision
Use the Hansen Eyecare scheme
Report problems to your supervisor
Seek medical advice
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Hansen’s Eye Care Scheme
Consistent with the DSE regulations
Eyesight tests
A pair of basic spectacles for DSE
work
Test may identify the cause of
problems
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Hansen’s Eyecare Scheme
Follow the optician's advice
Wear any spectacles provided
Tests before starting DSE activities
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Musculoskeletal
General fatigue, aches and pains
– Workstation problem
– May indicate other problems
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Musculoskeletal
Many musculoskeletal disorders start
with
– Numbness
– Tingling
– Aching hands, fingers or limbs
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Musculoskeletal
May be aggravated by work
Or manifest at work
Backache may indicate poor posture
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Musculoskeletal
Long term
Problems may get worse
Don’t leave things
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Musculoskeletal
If you suffer discomfort, report it to your
supervisor or manager
Seek medical advice as soon as
possible
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Common Misconceptions
Do not give off harmful radiation
Do not cause complications during
pregnancy
– Source: national radiological protection
board
Unlikely to induce epileptic seizures or
fits
Do not damage eyesight
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Common Misconceptions
Any concerns
Seek medical advice
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Users and Those at Risk
Defined as
– No alternative
– Need significant training or particular skills
– Use the display screen for continuous
spells of an hour or more
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Users
– 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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Users
Hansen define regular users as
– Either at least one-hour continuous work
or
– Two and a half hours accumulatively
Risk low if users follow safe working
procedures
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High Risk Users
Working all day with a screen
Inputting
Word processing
A computer aided design (CAD)
operator
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Moderate Risk Users
A secretary or personal assistant
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Low Risk Users
A salesperson
that inputs daily
sales figures
Somebody that does not use a
DSE every day
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Not Users
A senior
manager who uses the
screen for brief enquiries
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Not Users
A receptionist,
who occasionally,
interrogates the screen for
information
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Conducting an Assessment
Risk assessment
– Each workstation
– Trained assessors
– A standard, company pro-forma
– Reflecting an ‘ergonomic approach’
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Ergonomics
Adapting the task to fit the worker
Adjust and use the equipment to
individuals’ needs
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Ergonomics
User position
Equipment
Screen position
Environment
Software
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Conducting an Assessment
Risk assessments may recommend
– Wrist supports
– Footrests
– Other ergonomic measures
– Changes to the workplace
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The Pro Forma
Fill in information at top of assessment
record
Read the question in ‘risk factors’, if
‘yes’, assessment complete
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The Pro Forma
To satisfy the regulations, a ‘yes’ is
required for questions in the
‘equipment factors’ section
If ‘no’ action is required
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The Pro Forma
If ‘no’, look in ‘help’ section
Try the solution
If it does not work, further action may
be required
If further action is required
– A purchase, put solution in ‘further action’
column
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The Pro Forma
If ‘no’, further action will be required
Enter action to be taken in ‘further
actions’ column
Tick when action complete
If in doubt, ask
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Section 1 - the Display Screen
Positioned to suit the lighting and work
Glare can be irritating
Cause eye fatigue
Force users to adopt awkward
postures
Move screen to eliminate reflections
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Section 1 - the Display Screen
Glare filters
– Can reduce reflections
– Affects quality
– To be used as a last resort
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Section 2 - Keyboard Comfort
Positioning is important to overall
comfort
Ideally, keyboard in front of the user
Gap, 50mm to 100mm
To rest the heels of the hands
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Section 2 - Keyboard Comfort
Move the chair
Fingers to rest comfortably on the keys
Wrists should not flex up or down
Adjust the angle of slope
Keyboard glare-free
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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for
Purpose
Desk space
Things should be within easy reach
Stretching or reaching can cause
stress and strain
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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for
Purpose
Ideal position
– Display screen and keyboard directly in
front of the user
Some tasks require more space in
front of the user
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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for
Purpose
Chair
A properly adjusted chair
– Important to short term comfort
– Long-term well being
Adjustable for height and back support
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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for
Purpose
Poor posture can cause backache
Pain in the neck and shoulders
Working for long periods in an
awkward position can cause fatigue in
the short term
Strain on the joints and muscles can
cause harm in the long term
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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for
Purpose
Personal comfort
Eyes should be level with the top of the
VDU casing
Forearms horizontal with the keyboard
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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for
Purpose
Armrests should not interfere with
keying
Still allow the chair under the desk
– Not a legal requirement
The space under the desk should be
free from clutter, to allow ‘fidgeting’
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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for
Purpose
Feet flat on the floor or footrest, weight
on buttocks, not thighs
The back pad or support should be
adjustable
– To fit the curve of the spine
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Section 4 – the Working
Environment
Space
Is there enough room for the user(s)
and the workstation(s)
Keep cables under control to prevent
tripping hazards
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Section 4 – the Working
Environment
Ambience
– The temperature should be within
reasonable limits
– Noise should be within acceptable limits
– The lighting should be at a comfortable
level
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Section 4 – the Working
Environment
The humidity at an acceptable level
– Too dry, sore eyes
Reasonably well ventilated
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Section 4 – the Working
Environment
Will additional equipment affect the
working environment
– Noise
– Heat
– Space
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Section 5 – the Software
Can the operator use the software they
are expected to use
Is training required
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Conducting an Assessment
Has everything been covered?
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Conducting An Assessment
If yes to any question, answer
concerns on hints
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Practical Assessment
Using the pro forma, conduct an
assessment in the workplace
Debrief on assessment
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Follow Up
If action is required, ensure that it is
completed.
– Bring completed assessments to health
and safety manager.
– A Costed action plan shall be drawn up.
– Discussed with responsible manager.
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Follow Up
– Approved, or not
– Approved actions implemented
– Once complete, assessment sheets shall
be updated
– Returned to responsible manager and
filed
– Changes will require additional
assessments
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Assessing Display Screen
Equipment
Thanks for listening
– Any questions
Be
Safe
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