2. Occupational Health and Safety Service Slide: 1 Workstations Without Worry Working with your computer without affecting your health

3. Slide: 2 Instructions- Please fill out the form at the end of the show, or you can access it by clicking here. here. To advance a slide: –click on arrow button at bottom right of page –mouse click –or follow instructions on screen. We’ve limited the amount of mouse clicks to prevent excessive use.

4. Slide: 3 Computers are…. An essential feature of business life No longer an optional extra Increasingly invading all aspects of commerce, education and home life Constantly changing Maddening when unreliable …whether we like it or not!

5. Slide: 4 However... They don’t come without risks If you work with Computer Equipment, and especially if you have rearranged your workstation recently, please spend a few minutes working through this slide show This will help you to continue to work in a safe and healthy way

6. Slide: 5 Is my health at risk? Only a small proportion of computer users suffer ill-health as a result of their work Where problems do occur, they are generally caused by the way in which computers are being used… …rather than the computers themselves

7. Slide: 6 Click each in turn to find out more... Aches and pains Skin disorders Epilepsy Pregnancy Stress Radiation Eyesight Headaches Click here once you have read those relevant to you

8. Slide: 7 Extensive research has found no evidence that VDUs cause disease or damage to eyes However…… Eyesight Existing eye problems may be highlighted Long spells of VDU work can result in temporary visual fatigue Dry, red or sore eyes Blurred vision headaches

9. Slide: 8 The cause of Eyesight Problems includes: Eyesight Click here to go back to list Uncorrected existing eye problems Long periods of concentration Poor lighting/changing light levels Flickering screen Dry atmosphere

10. Slide: 9 back neck shoulders hands wrists arms Be aware of any discomfort in these areas and report them to your line manager! Aches and pains

11. Slide: 10 Usually minor aches and pains do not last More aches and pains But occasionally Upper Limb Disorders can develop which can be persistent or disabling You must report any persistent health problems to your line manager or Occupational Health Team Click here to go back to list

12. Slide: 11 Stress Affects some DSE users Can increase if systems do not work well or are difficult to use Usually arises from increased pace or pressure to meet deadlines Click here to go back to list

13. Slide: 12 Screen glare Poor image quality Need for different spectacles Stress from pace of work Anxiety about new technology Reading the screen for long periods Poor posture Combination of the above Headaches Can be caused by... Click here to go back to list

14. Slide: 13 VDUs give out non-ionising radiation; visible light and electromagnetic radiation The levels are well below internationally agreed safe levels Employers do not have to check radiation levels from a VDU Special devices such as spectacles, screens or aprons are not needed when using a VDU Radiation NO! Click here to go back to list

15. Slide: 14 It is not necessary to stop working with VDUs Reports of miscarriages and birth defects have not been borne out by extensive research If you are anxious about work with VDUs during pregnancy talk to your line manager, Occupational Health or doctor Pregnancy Click here to go back to list

16. Slide: 15 A few people have experienced irritation, rashes or other skin problems The exact cause is not known Combination of dry air, static electricity and individual susceptibility may be involved If this is the case, increasing the humidity or allowing more fresh air into the room may help Skin disorders These are rare…. Click here to go back to list

17. Slide: 16 Epilepsy Most people with epilepsy are completely unaffected by VDUs A few who suffer from photo-sensitive epilepsy, and are susceptible to flickering lights and striped patterns may be affected in some circumstances…..but even they can often work successfully with VDUs without provoking an attack. Click here to go back to listClick here to go back to list or click here to go forwardclick here to go forward

18. Slide: 17 So what should the College do?

19. Slide: 18 The Legal bit! The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992: Came into effect from January 1993 to implement an EC Directive Often known as DSE Regulations They require employers to minimize the risks in VDU work by ensuring that workplaces and jobs are well designed Employers must also define which employees are ‘users’ of DSE

20. Slide: 19 What is Display Screen Equipment? Any alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of the display process involved Includes… –visual display unit (VDU) –video display terminal (VDT) –monitor –cathode ray tube –flat panel displays

21. Slide: 20 What is not DSE? Equipment that is: –In vehicle drivers' or machinery control cabs –On board a means of transport –Intended for public operation –Portable systems not in prolonged use

22. Slide: 21 Criteria defining a user… Dependency Significant training and/or particular skills Daily use in this way Use for spells of an hour or more at a time Discretion in use Fast transfer of information

23. Slide: 22 What does this mean for me? We have already said that computers are increasingly invading all aspects of our work The College therefore regards most of its employees as ‘users’ Even if they are not, all workstations should still comply with the standards laid down in the regulations

24. Slide: 23 What does the College have to do for ‘users’? Provide a system which regularly assesses- –The whole workstation including equipment, furniture, and the work environment –The job being done –Any special needs of individual staff –Take steps to reduce any risks identified –Ensure workstations meet minimum requirements Provide information and training

25. Slide: 24 So how should I set up my workstation and use it properly?

26. Slide: 25 Sit don’t slouch You should set up your workstation to: –ensure you are generally comfortable –enable you to reach and use all the equipment needed –enable you to do the job without straining, stretching or incurring discomfort You should bring to the notice of your line manager any particular difficulty or problem you encounter NOT Let’s see how NOT to do it...

27. Slide: 26 Screen too low Head tilted forward Leaning away from chair back Lose support A guide to ensuring discomfort!!! images © Osmond Group Limited 1997, 1999, 2000 Too far away Too low Head tilted forward Hunched shoulders Poor leg circulation Feet on floor but desk too high Arms stretched to avoid hunching Strain on shoulders

28. Slide: 27 Correct posture - upright stance supported back no knee pressure feet supported on footrest (if required) eyes in line with top of screen seat and table height correct forearms horizontal images © Osmond Group Limited 1997, 1999, 2000 screen arms length away

29. Slide: 28 Correct Back Position images © Osmond Group Limited 1997, 1999, 2000 DSE Posture is no different from lifting posture. The aim is to keep the back in the curved position of the spine as shown to the left when in the the sitting position

30. Slide: 29 correct Click the correct desk arrangement... images © Osmond Group Limited 1997, 1999, 2000

31. Slide: 30 Really?! Elbows and wrists bent Keyboard too close Screen too close Mouse too far away images © Osmond Group Limited 1997, 1999, 2000 Click here to try again

32. Slide: 31 That’s right! Note the positioning of equipment: Screen position Mouse position and type Keyboard position images © Osmond Group Limited 1997, 1999, 2000

33. Slide: 32 Look - don’t peer Avoid glare, or bright reflections on the screen –easiest if neither you nor the screen is directly facing windows or bright lights –curtains or blinds can reduce unwanted light If you wear glasses or lenses, ensure they are suitable for screen work DSE work with varifocals or bifocals can cause you to tilt your head. Glasses specifically for DSE distance may be better.

34. Slide: 33 Spot 5 things wrong with this desk 1. Monitor incorrectly aligned to user. 2. Phone too far away. 3. Mouse incorrectly positioned. 4. Clutter under desk. 5. Paperwork out of reach. Arrange, don’t heap images © Osmond Group Limited 1997, 1999, 2000 That’s better!

35. Slide: 34 Plan, don’t rush There is no legal limit on the length of time spent working on computers Doing any type of work in the same position for extended periods can lead to tiredness or discomfort BREAK UP LONG SPELLS OF DSE WORK Length of time working without a break depends on the type of work being done Many employees would be delighted to have the chance to concentrate on one thing!

36. Slide: 35 Cosset, don’t wreck Report equipment problems to IT staff Keep screens, mice and keyboards clean and in good condition Keep hands clean and do not eat and drink when using computers Avoid marking or touching screens

37. Slide: 36 Laptop and notebook computers Compact design results in compromises Often used in a relaxed manner and this leads to poor posture Where possible, these should always be used with a docking station, mouse, separate keyboard and monitor Not suitable for extended periods of work on their own If using independently, angle the screen so it can be seen clearly with minimal reflections Take frequent breaks if work is prolonged Wherever possible, place on a firm surface at the right height for keying

38. Slide: 37 Eye tests and spectacles Users can ask the College to provide and pay for an eye and eyesight test The College pay for spectacles if - –special ones are needed (e.g. prescribed for the distance at which the screen is viewed) –If you require spectacles not just for DSE use. The college will only pay for the DSE adjustment

39. Slide: 38 At the College The cost of the eye test is paid for The spectacles are paid for if the optician decides special ones are needed The college pays for accessories to improve workstation set up for users if identified by assessment

40. Slide: 39 And finally- Don’t forget to report any problems to your line manager If you have any potential health problems, including persistent aches and pains, seek advice from your manager or Occupational Health as soon as possible

41. Slide: 40 Further information- HSE leaflet on working with VDU’s Staff Health and Safety Site Thank you for your attention. Please ensure that you complete the DSE assessment form with your manager.DSE assessment form