DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT AWARENESS University of Huddersfield Occupational Health Department NB please view as a Slide Show to enable the hyperlinks in.

DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT AWARENESS

University of HuddersfieldOccupational Health Department

NB please view as a ‘Slide Show’ to enable the hyperlinks in this presentation

Occupational Health Department October 2012

Aim of session

To provide employees with awareness of the potential

health and safety risks associated with using Display Screen Equipment (DSE) and how to manage these effectively.


http://www.hud.ac.uk/oh

Objectives

• Recognise and understand the health and safety risks associated with DSE work.

• Understand university policy.

• Appreciate personal role in managing DSE risks effectively.

• Equip self to undertake a DSE self assessment and troubleshoot identified individual risks.



Legal Perspectives

Regulation as directed by the European Union:

DSE Regulations enforced 1 January 1993 (amended 2002).

The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations

(1999) are currently under revision – these require employers

to assess risks posed to workers by their work or business.

These regulations require DSE users to be identified and

individual risk assessments to be undertaken.



University Display Screen Equipment Policy

The DSE policy is located within the University Health and

Safety Policy. Overall responsibility for guidance to the

university on DSE matters rests with the Occupational Health

team.

In summary the policy:

• establishes what is required of Schools and Support Services to ensure compliance with the DSE Regulations

• sets out a DSE Assessment Process to ensure each workstation meets the requirements of the Regulations

• applies to all types of DSE including laptop computers

The full policy may be viewed here please choose ‘DSE policy’.


http://www.hud.ac.uk/oh/policies/


DSE assessment process

Who is a DSE user?

According to the Display Screen Equipment Regulations this

is any employee who :

• uses DSE for continuous or near-continuous spells of an

hour or more at a time

and

• uses DSE in this way more or less daily;

and

• has to transfer information quickly to or from the DSE.


http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/l26.htm



Under the university policy individual employees are required

to undertake a self assessment at the start of employment,

every 2 years subsequently or when you undergo any changes

e.g. office moves.

An assessment and compliance with the policy is also required

if you have an agreement to work at home using your own IT

equipment. See the university home working policy.

If you regularly use a laptop computer in the course of your

work you are expected to follow the same principles.


http://www.hud.ac.uk/hr/policies/policymenu/index.php?id=1000257



The following slides provide you with an insight into the Health

Risks associated with DSE use.

At the end of this course you will be guided towards using the

university self assessment process.

This process will identify any problems specific to you as the

user and take you through relevant actions to reduce risks.



Back, neck and upper limb pain can be

exacerbated by poor posture when seated:

Ergonomists advise that you should have your

desk arranged so that the keyboard and screen

are situated directly in front of you, preferably on

a straight, not a curved part of the desk. If you

have to work on a curved desk ensure that you

are placed directly in front of the screen.


Health Risks

Reducing musculo-skeletal disorders


Back, neck and upper limb pain can be

exacerbated by poor posture when seated:

It is best to have any peripheral equipment (e.g.

mouse, telephone, digipen, keyboard), placed

directly within your close field of reach to avoid

over reaching and exerting strain on your upper

limbs and shoulders.


Health Risks



There are many & varied seats available however with

adjustments most people can be accommodated within the

available provisions within the university.

Your seat should be placed at a height to ensure your arms

are roughly parallel to the desk surface.

Your thighs should be well supported by the seat pan and

here should be a small gap between the back of your legs

and the seat pan.

Make sure that your low back is fully supported by the

backrest, your shoulders are not hunched forwards and your

elbows are placed vertically beneath your shoulders.


Health Risks



The pressure on the discs in your lower back can be

reduced significantly by having an open angle at the hip

with a slight downwards slope to the thigh (see picture

right).

After these adjustments, if your feet do not sit flat on the

floor you may also need a foot rest.

HINT Check underneath your seat and see if the adjustors

/ levers on your chair will alter the back rest angle and

height and the seat pan position / tilt and height.


Health Risks



Back, neck and upper limb pain can be exacerbated by

poor posture when seated:

Shoulder pain can arise if you hold your elbows away from

your body.

Some people find that adjustable arm rests are helpful

although these sometimes prevent you from getting your chair

close enough to the desk which can result in leaning forwards

therefore these need to be used with caution. NB these can

easily be removed if not required.


Health Risks



Upper limb disorders with a variety of names

RSI, carpal tunnel syndrome, tenosynovitis etc.)

can be exacerbated by poor positioning. The

optimum position for the arms / wrists is in a

straight line with no deviation from the midline.

Deviation away from a straight line can result in

friction on the tendons of the wrist and irritation for

every keystroke that you make. The same applies

to use of the mouse.


Health Risks



Neck pain can be reduced by stopping your

head from tilting forwards:

If it is not already positioned with the screen at eye

level or up to 20 degrees lower try moving it now

and ensure that your neck is held upright whilst

working.

Document holders at the same height as the

screen top, alongside the screen can also help.

Angled ‘writing slopes’ between screen and

keyboard can reduce neck strain.


Health Risks



If you do not have touch typing skills you can increase the strain on the

neck when frequently checking lettering on the keyboard. Touch typing

courses are available to staff though Computing & Library Services. Call

ext 2955 for information. There are also various free touch typing

lessons to be found online however you should check with IT support

before downloading any of these.

For frequent phone use in conjunction with computer data

entry a headset is recommended. This will reduce strain if

‘cradling’ the handset between your shoulder & ear.

Contact telephone service requests for more info about headsets.


Health Risks


http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=free+touch+typing&meta=&aq=f&oq=

mailto:[email protected]


Health Risks


Having a change - check how long you are spending working

on the PC – a complete change of work activity for 10 minutes

in every hour is standard recommended practice.

‘Micro breaks, for a few seconds every 10 minutes will also be

beneficial in reducing general muscle fatigue - try to stretch

your arms down at your sides at this interval. Research

evidence to support this advice on exercises to reduce this

problem can be read here

Aim to stand up, stretch and change your posture every 20

minutes.


http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr743.htm


Health Risks reducing visual fatigue & headaches

Headaches and Visual fatigue can result from various factors:

The screen being too close – it should be roughly at arms length from

you.

Glare from windows, light fittings, reflective surfaces.

Inadequate lighting.

Screen problems - you may need to adjust the controls on the screen

(brightness, contrast, resolution) & ensure that it is clean. If you are

unsure how to adjust these controls please contact IT support on ext

3737 or by email.


mailto:IT%20Support%20%[email protected]%3E


If you find yourself leaning forward in order to read the screen you would

probably benefit from a free eye test which is funded by the university. Eye

tests are a requirement for users if requested. This is stipulated in the DSE

regulations. For information and vouchers go to:

http://www.hud.ac.uk/oh/displayscreenequipment/

Signs of visual fatigue can include:

Burning, itching eyes, Blurring of vision, Nausea, Fatigue

Check how long you are spending working on the PC – once again, a

complete change of work activity for 10 minutes in every hour is standard

recommended practice, by refocusing your eyes on something other than

the computer screen.


Health Risks reducing visual fatigue & headaches

http://www.hud.ac.uk/oh/displayscreenequipment/


Health Risks - Stressors

Physical & mental Stressors can relate to working practices

Ask yourself the following questions:

• Do you feel under pressure to work on the PC for protracted periods

without a break?

• Is this really necessary?

• Do you have any difficulties undertaking your job?

• Have you been trained on the software that you use?

• Have you made your manager aware of these problems?

If you have not already considered why this is happening or taken action

please check out the Stress resources on the Occupational Health website

and ensure that you follow the policy guidelines.


http://www.hud.ac.uk/oh/stress/


Health Risks work environment

The work environment related to DSE work should

provide:

• Enough room near to and underneath the desk for a

comfortable working posture.

• Easy movement around – no clutter / blocked

entrances or exits.

• Suitable & sufficient lighting with working window

blinds, if required, to reduce glare on the screen.

• A generally comfortable temperature.

• Minimal distraction from background noise.



Health Risks portable computer use

Lap top computers are not designed for extended use. The

working position adopted for laptop use in conjunction with their

narrow keyboards lends the user towards a greater risk of the

health problems outlined earlier. If you are using one on a daily

basis for more than an hour the following adaptations are

recommended:

Utilise the laptop screen as your monitor by placing it on a

separate riser block or a vertical laptop riser.

Organise a separate plug in keyboard and mouse.

To watch a short video on laptop use click here (sound is not

required).


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLwIP8cBaWA&feature=related


Health Risks portable computer use

In addition consider carefully how

you transport your laptop.

Considerations should include the

overall weight, type of bag and

personal safety / security.

It is recommended that the weight is

distributed evenly rather than on one

shoulder. Laptop backpacks can be

the most satisfactory solution.



DSE myths 1 – True or false?

Using DSE will damage my eyes

False

Working with DSE will not cause disease or permanent damage to the

eyes. Intensive work, poor screen position, unstable screen images or

poor workplace lighting will cause discomfort. DSE work may also

make you aware of an existing eye or eyesight defect.

DSE gives out harmful levels of radiation

False

Visible light and other forms of electromagnetic radiation are emitted but

at levels that present no risk.




Working with DSE can cause skin disorders

True

A small number of people have experienced irritation, skin rashes or

aggravated existing skin disorders whilst working with DSE. The

causes seem to be a combination of electrostatic charges, low relative

humidity and individual susceptibility. These effects can usually be

combated by introducing sources of humidity into the environment.




I’m pregnant, I and my unborn child are at riskFalseThere have been many scientific studies. These have shown no link

between miscarriages or birth defects and working with DSE. However there is a Health and Safety policy to follow when employees are pregnant with a Risk Assessment requirement. Postural problems or restrictions in space associated with the ‘growing bump’ may be referred by the individual to Occupational Health for advice.

Epileptic seizures are triggered whilst using DSEFalseA small number of people who suffer from photo-sensitive epilepsy are

susceptible to flickering lights or striped patterns. They could be affected if the computer screen images are not stable. Most people can use DSE without suffering any adverse effects.


http://halo.hud.ac.uk/UoHDocumentSearch/DocSearch.aspx?DocRef=001093390%20

http://www.hud.ac.uk/services/healthandsafety/formsandchecklists/



DSE assessment process 1

• At the start of employment and every 2 years thereafter each

member of staff completes a

DSE Self-Assessment Questionnaire for their campus

workstation. The assessment works through all of the key risk

areas and you make your own record.

• Further assessments are undertaken for any additional work

venues (home or other campus locations). You should

troubleshoot any identified problems using the guide provided in

each section of the assessment.


http://www.hud.ac.uk/media/universityofhuddersfield/content/files/hr/occhealth/Q115%20DSE%20Self%20assessment%20revised%20220311.doc


DSE assessment process 2

DSE Assessor will verify the perceived problems with the member of staff. This will involve discussions with you at your workstation and, if necessary, a more-detailed assessment. If any equipment is required the DSEA will liase with your manager who is responsible for any purchases.

DSE Assessor will review the adaptations at an agreed date.


DSE Self-Assessment Questionnaire is forwarded to your manager or DSE Assessor (DSEA) depending upon local arrangements. The DSEA

works through individual questionnaires to highlight any perceived unresolved problems identified by the member of staff.


http://www.hud.ac.uk/media/universityofhuddersfield/content/files/hr/occhealth/DSE%20ASSESSORS.doc

DSE problems - advice

In the first instance please contact your DSE Assessor.If you experience any of the following symptoms on a regular basis you should seek the advice of your General Practitioner

• musculoskeletal pains • headaches • other generalised aches & pains

You should also revisit this course and repeat the DSE Self-Assessment.Signs of upper limb problems can include: •Numbness of fingers, palms and other areas•Aches and pains in the muscles and joints•Tingling sensations or soreness If these symptoms do not resolve within 2 weeks of making adjustments please advise your manager and contact Occupational Health for further advice and assessment.


http://www.hud.ac.uk/media/universityofhuddersfield/content/files/hr/occhealth/DSE%20ASSESSORS.doc

http://www.hud.ac.uk/media/universityofhuddersfield/content/files/hr/occhealth/Q115%20DSE%20Self%20assessment%20revised%20220311.doc



Final recap – recommended working posture


1. Back in its natural line and well supported, especially lumbar region.

2. Thighs well supported by the seat, small gap between seat and back of knees

3. Feet flat on the floor, footrest utilised if needed.

4. Forearms near-parallel with the floor.

5. Wrists not excessively bent up, down or sideways.

6. Screen height parallel or slightly below eye level to allow comfortable head and neck position.

7. Space in front of keyboard rest hands and wrists during breaks in typing.

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Test & self assessment

Thank you for completing the DSE awareness course

In order to record that you have undertaken this training please complete a short test lodged on Unilearn.

If you have not undertaken the University of Huddersfield DSE self assessment in the past 2 years please complete it now.


DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT AWARENESS University of Huddersfield Occupational Health Department NB please view as a Slide Show to enable the hyperlinks in.

Documents

university health

health risks

dse policy

dse risks

dse regulations

dse work

occupational health

dse assessment process