Working with Display Screen Equipment Health and Safety Unit.

Working with Display Screen Equipment

Health and Safety Unit

Possible ill-health effects resulting from using Display Screen Equipment at work

Visual discomfort (eye fatigue and headaches)

Upper limb disorders

Aches and pains (back, shoulder, neck or wrist) Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)

Stress (mental and physical)

Hazardous working practices associated with Display Screen Equipment

• Working with a poor posture

Working for too long without a break or change of position

A poor working environment

Poor management of workload

Avoiding health problems

• Ensure the workstation is set up correctly

Adopt a good posture and change position regularly

Ensure the work is organised properly

Ask for an eye test if you have problems with your vision

Report aches and pains or ill-health

Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992

The Regulations relate to the protection of employees who habitually use display screen equipment as a

significant part of their normal work. Regulation 1(2) c defines such employees as "Users".

Display screen users

“Users” are those who habitually use a display screen as a significant part of their work.

High Risk Users

Use DSE all day every day

Moderate Risk Users

Use DSE a few hours every day

Low Risk Users

Use DSE for short periods, but not every day

Non-Users

Use DSE very occasionally

Screen Shots: Microsoft Outlook

Employers duties• Analyse workstations of employees covered by the

Regulations and reduce the risks.

• Ensure workstations meet minimum requirements.

• Plan work so there are breaks or changes of activity.

• Provide eyesight testing and any necessary correction for VDU work.

• Provide health and safety training.

• Provide information.

Employers duties

– Environmental conditions.– Chairs and desks.– Display screen equipment including keyboard.– User/computer interface.

Analysing workstations is normally done in the form of a Risk Assessment using checklists and will include the assessment of:

The risk of ill-health is related to how the workstation is used.

• Change posture regularly

• Break up display screen work

• Manage the workload

• Organise the worktop

• Maintain a good working environment

To reduce the risk:

Supervisors’ and managers’ responsibilities

Be aware of the University policy and rules for health and safety

Ensure users follow the safe systems of work and good practice

Promptly follow up reports of problems or ill-health

Report problems they cannot deal with

Lead by example

Assessments Should be Made or Reviewed

When: • A new person joins the team• A member of staff informs you they are experiencing problems

with their workstation• A member of staff informs you that they have a disability• A member of staff lets you know that they are expecting a

child• Before any new technology, equipment or software is

introduced• There is an office move or redesign of the area, layout or

lighting• There is a change in the type of work or amount of time that

someone is using the equipment

Self-Awareness

• The nature of your job means that you are bound to experience a certain amount of pressure. This in itself is not a problem. However, when you are working hard, because of peaks in workload and tight deadlines, it is essential to manage the cause of any stress you are experiencing.

Self-Awareness

• This means building up good habits for looking after yourself while you work

• Remember that, no matter how correct your posture is, sitting for long periods in the same position will eventually lead to muscle fatigue.

• Be aware of the need for relaxation. Writing for prolonged, concentrated periods can lead to mental fatigue and tiredness.

Self-Awareness

• This is an indication that your body is getting tired

• Relax your muscles, stand up, move around

If you feel pain or discomfort, anywhere, in your wrists, arms, shoulders, neck, back or legs……

STOP!

The following suggestions may help to provide you with a more

comfortable environment.

When working at the computer

• adapt your surroundings and arrange your computing equipment to promote a comfortable and relaxed body posture.

• Because everyone has a unique body size and work environment, we can't tell you exactly how to set up your workstation to avoid discomfort.

Position Yourself

Position Yourself• There is a natural forward curve

of the spine in the neck and lower back regions (the cervical and the lumbar regions).

• These natural curves are maintained when you sit up straight with your shoulders back.

• Correct seat adjustment will help you with this.

Position Yourself

• Choose a chair that provides support for your

lower back.

To support your back, consider the following:

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Position Yourself

• Adjust your work surface height and your chair to assume a comfortable and natural body

posture.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Position Yourself

• It is important that the chair has both an adjustable backrest and seat. They act together to ensure a comfortable, ergonomic posture.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Position Yourself

• The optimum seat height is the distance from the back of your knee to the floor when your feet are flat on the ground.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Position Yourself

• To promote comfortable leg postures

• Clear away items from beneath your desk to allow comfortable leg positions and movement.

• Use a footrest if your feet do not rest comfortably on the

floor. Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Position Yourself

• Zone your workstation.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Position Yourself

• To minimise reaching and to promote comfortable shoulder and arm postures

• Place your keyboard and mouse or trackball at the same height; these should be at about elbow level.

• When typing, centre your

keyboard in front of you with your mouse or trackball located close to

it.

Position Yourself

Position Yourself

• Place frequently used items comfortably within arm's reach.

Position Yourself

Position Yourself

• Place reference documents just within reach.

Position Yourself

• To promote proper wrist and finger postures.

• Keep your wrists straight while typing and while using a mouse or trackball. Avoid bending your wrists up, down, or to the sides.

Position Yourself

Position Yourself

Position Yourself

Position Yourself

• Type with your hands and wrists floating above the keyboard, so that you can use your whole arm to reach for distant keys instead of stretching your fingers.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Position Yourself

• Use the keyboard legs if they help you maintain a comfortable and straight wrist position.

Position Yourself

• To minimise neck bending and twisting.

• Centre your monitor in front of you. Consider placing your documents directly in front of you and the monitor slightly to the side, if you refer to your documents more frequently than your monitor.

• Consider using a document holder to position your documents near eye level.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Position Yourself

• Position the top of the screen near eye level.

Position Yourself

Position Yourself

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Position Yourself• To minimise eyestrain.

• Place your monitor at a distance of about arm's length when seated comfortably in front of the monitor.

• Remember to clean your screen; if you wear glasses, clean them, also.

• Adjust your monitor brightness, contrast, and font size to levels

that are comfortable for you.

Position Yourself

• Avoid glare. Place your monitor away from light sources that produce glare, or use window blinds to control light levels.

• Reflective glare can cause you to deviate from your natural posture in order to see the screen clearly.

Go Lightly

Go Lightly

• Physical forces continuously interact with our bodies.

• We may only think of high-impact forces, such as car crashes, as injuring our bodies.

• However, low forces may also result in injuries, discomfort, and fatigue if they are repeated or experienced over long periods of time.

Go Lightly

Contact force, or pressure that occurs when you rest on an edge or hard surface. For example, resting your wrists on the edge of your desk.

Consider the following types of low forces:

Dynamic force, or a force that you exert through movement. For example, pressing the keys while typing or clicking the mouse buttons.

Static force, or a force that you maintain for a period of time. For example, holding your mouse or cradling the phone.

Go Lightly

• Type with a light touch, keeping your hands and fingers relaxed, as it takes little effort to activate keyboard keys.

• Also, use a light touch when clicking a mouse button or when using a joystick or other gaming controller. Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Go Lightly

• Avoid resting your palms or wrists on any type of surface while typing. The palm rest, if provided, should only be used during breaks from typing.

• Relax your arms and hands when you're not typing. Don't rest on edges, such as the edge of your desk.

• Hold the mouse with a relaxed hand.

Do not grip the mouse tightly. Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Go Lightly

• Adjust your chair so the seat does not press into the back of

your knees.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Go Lightly

• Adjust your chair so the seat does not press into the back of

your knees.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Take Breaks

Take Breaks • Taking breaks can go a long way in helping your body

recover from any activity and may help you avoid MSDs.

• The length and frequency of breaks that are right for you depend on the type of work you are doing.

• Stopping the activity and relaxing is one way to take a break, but there are other ways, also. For instance, just changing tasks-perhaps from sitting while typing to standing while talking on the phone-can help some muscles relax while others remain productive.

Take Breaks

• Vary your daily activities.

• Plan your work so that one activity isn't performed for extended periods of time.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Computer Interface

Computer Interface

• Learn about software and hardware features by reading the information that came with your software programs and hardware products.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Computer Interface

• Use different input devices, such as your mouse and keyboard, to accomplish the same task. For example, to perform a scrolling task, you can use the wheel on the mouse or the arrow keys on the keyboard.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Computer Interface

• Work more efficiently by using software and hardware features to reduce your effort and increase your productivity. For example, you can press the Windows logo key to open the Start menu.

Source: Healthy Computing Guide www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Computer Interface

Source: Healthy Computing Guide

www.microsoft.com/hardware/hcg/default.html

Laptop Users

• Portable equipment is designed for short term use because they are not adjustable.

• You can use them, but to reduce the risks keep their use brief and double your efforts to give muscles a break

• Select equipment that is lightweight and up to the task

• Assess the risk of theft and violence

PDA UsersThe hazards around using Personal Digital Assistants

(PDA) are similar to using a laptop or mobile phone for text messaging which are:

•Theft with menaces

•Health issues similar to other DSE equipment

PDA Users• Just as using a mobile phone may make you a target for

attack you should be aware of using the equipment where its use may inspire theft with menaces

• Do not use them in such a situation and if you are threatened hand it over

• In vehicles keep the equipment out of sight

• Keep any inputting brief and intermittent and do not input while your back, head and neck are hunched

• PDA’s do not damage your eyes, but prolonged peering at a small screen may cause eye fatigue

Summary

• The workstation must be set up correctly.

The equipment must be used properly.

The work must be suitably organised.

Users, supervisors and managers should be aware of the possible health risks.

Users, supervisors and managers should follow procedures and work safely.

Users should report any problems to their supervisors or managers.

To reduce risks associated with DSE:

For further information contact:

• Your line Manager.

• Local Safety Officer.

• Health & Safety Unit.