SAFETY CHECKS IN ICT
Remember to carry out a physical inspection of your working environment, this will help you identify and neutralise dangers such as:
- Electrical issues, such as faulty or exposed cables.
- Others will be in the working environment:
- No adjustment in the chairs or desk,
- The monitors cannot be adjusted to eye level etc.
- Is there sufficient space to work in a comfortable position with opportunities for varying movements and posture?
- Lighting arrangements should be satisfactory and ensure an appropriate contrast between the display screen and the background environment.
- Glare and reflections (e.g. from windows or sunlights) should be avoided, with blinds (preferably vertical) used to prevent sunlight falling on display screens.
- Noise levels created by workstation equipment should not be distraction to the user/operator.
- No item of workstation equipment should generate excess heat that could cause user/operator discomfort.
How often should breaks be taken
when using a computer?
In many cases, breaks should be at least every hour and often more. Some users are encouraged to look away from the screen or close their eyes every 15 minutes just to break up the amount of exposure to a screen.
For people who are required to look at computer screens for a long time, such as designers, it is often hard to incorporate breaks, in which case they may need to use utilities that force them.
Why should these breaks be taken?
One key reason is that the Health and Safety at Work Act allows a break during a working day, but also working with computers you need to take regular breaks so as not to be stuck in the same position and to minimise the risk of something like RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) Some of the main health issues that require you to take a break are listed below:
1) Upper limb disorders is a term used to describe a range of conditions affecting the fingers, hands, arms and shoulders.Such conditions may range from mild aches and pains, through to chronic tissue and/or muscular complaints.
- Tenosynovitis (swollen muscles)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome (swollen tendons)
2) Repetitive strain injury can result from prolonged high-speed typing, intensive use of a mouse, or indeed the long-term use of a computer gaming control pad. Early signs of repetitive strain injury include a tingling or numbness in the finger or fingers impacted, and pain or even swelling across the hands and even upper arms
3) Whether or not eye problems result from short- or long-term computer use remains a matter of debate. However, any form of excessive close work where the eyes are forced to focus at a fairly fixed distance on a relatively bounded location is likely to cause at least short-term eye strain and discomfort. This is simply because such activity is not what our eyes were ever "intended" to do!
4)Many people find using a computer for long periods results in excessive stress and fatigue. This can be as a result of the involved high levels of dextrous activity and visual concentration. As already noted these are not a "natural" form of human activity, and hence a potential source of stress
5) A small number of people experience skin complaints associated with longer-term computer use. Such conditions can include itching, rashes on the neck, face or hands, and dry skin. Quite why this may be is again debated, though potentially skin complaints may be a result of electrostatic discharges (created within laser printers and cathode ray tube (CRT) display screens), and/or the dry air and static electricity that builds up in offices filled with computer equipment. Appropriate ventilation is of course always a good idea and may lessen the problem.
Where can you get support from if you need
to make adjustments for safety and comfort?
Workers regularly use DSE (Display Screen Equipment) as a significant part of their normal work need to make sure their work comply with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992.
Employer need to do to protect your employees from any risks associated with Display Screen Equipment (DSE) It will also be useful to employees and their representatives
You Tube tutorials
Online tutorials - Videos & Images
Online assessments
Summary: General guidance for home or office
