GCSE ICTGCSE ICT

Computers and your healthComputers and your health

Health and Safety – Why?Health and Safety – Why?

People have a right to be safe at People have a right to be safe at work.work.

All employers All employers mustmust do as much as do as much as they can to ensure that their they can to ensure that their workers are safe.workers are safe.

This is enforceable in law – Health This is enforceable in law – Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).and Safety at Work Act (1974).

Hazards in an ICT Hazards in an ICT workplaceworkplace

The main hazards to The main hazards to heath in an ICT heath in an ICT workplace are:workplace are:– Backache.Backache.– Eyestrain.Eyestrain.– Headaches.Headaches.– Repetitive Strain Repetitive Strain

Injury.Injury.– Radiation.Radiation.

BackacheBackache

What can be done to alleviate What can be done to alleviate backache?backache?– Swivelling chairs.Swivelling chairs.– Movable base with castors.Movable base with castors.– Adjustable back rests that support Adjustable back rests that support

the lower back area.the lower back area.– Regular breaks to change posture.Regular breaks to change posture.

Eye strain and headachesEye strain and headaches

What can be done to combat eye What can be done to combat eye strain and headaches?strain and headaches?– No screen flicker.No screen flicker.– Angle, brightness, and contrast must Angle, brightness, and contrast must

be adjustable.be adjustable.– Reduction of reflective light.Reduction of reflective light.– Proper and adequate lighting.Proper and adequate lighting.– Free, regular eye tests for VDU Free, regular eye tests for VDU

operators.operators.

Repetitive strain injuryRepetitive strain injury

How can RSI be avoided?How can RSI be avoided?– Keyboard should be separate from Keyboard should be separate from

the VDU.the VDU.– Keyboard must be adjustable so that Keyboard must be adjustable so that

they can lie at an angle of 10 they can lie at an angle of 10 degreesdegrees

– Keyboard should have concave keys Keyboard should have concave keys to prevent fingers slipping and to prevent fingers slipping and reduce impact shock on fingertips, reduce impact shock on fingertips, fingers, wrists, and arms.fingers, wrists, and arms.

RadiationRadiation

What can be done to reduce What can be done to reduce radiation hazards?radiation hazards?– Special radiation reduction shields Special radiation reduction shields

on VDUs.on VDUs.

Avoiding hazardsAvoiding hazards

Things that must be Things that must be considered when considered when designing an officedesigning an office

Is this typical?

Is this safe?

Things that must be Things that must be considered when considered when designing an officedesigning an office1. Adequate lighting.

2. No glare.

3. Minimal noise.

4. Good leg room.

5. Blinds

6. Appropriate software.

7. Placement of VDU.

8. Adjusted keyboard

9. Clear work surface

10. Adjustable chair

11. Proper ventilation & temperature

Things that must be Things that must be considered when considered when designing an officedesigning an office Avoid the use of single pendant Avoid the use of single pendant

lamps as they produce glare on lamps as they produce glare on computer VDUs.computer VDUs.

Use florescent tubes with diffusers Use florescent tubes with diffusers or that produce artificial daylight.or that produce artificial daylight.

Avoid the use of carpets made Avoid the use of carpets made from artificial fibres as these cause from artificial fibres as these cause static electricity.static electricity.

Things that must be Things that must be considered when considered when designing an officedesigning an office

Windows should have adjustable blinds so Windows should have adjustable blinds so that sunlight will not produce glare on that sunlight will not produce glare on computer VDUs.computer VDUs.

Cables should be ducted and not allowed Cables should be ducted and not allowed to trail across the floor.to trail across the floor.

Sufficient power sockets with surge Sufficient power sockets with surge resisters should be installed so that only resisters should be installed so that only one piece of equipment is plugged in to one piece of equipment is plugged in to each socket.each socket.