Hansen – Managing Safely 1

Assessing Display Screen Assessing Display Screen EquipmentEquipment

Mark Mallen

Health And Safety ManagerFenlock-Hansen Ltd

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Introduction Introduction

DSE?Why am I here?

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Course ContentCourse Content

What is display screen equipmentLegal frameworkHazardsPotential health effects

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Course ContentCourse Content

Common misconceptionsUsersThose at riskConducting an assessmentFollow-up

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What Is Display Screen What Is Display Screen Equipment ?Equipment ?Known as VDUs

– Computer terminals – Liquid crystal displays– Microfiche– Process control screens– Not televisions

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Legal FrameworkLegal Framework

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

– the ‘VDU Regs’– Part of the ‘six pack’– Aim of preventing ill health – Imposes legal responsibilities and

duties

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Legal FrameworkLegal Framework

Employers’ Duties

– Assess risks– Provide a healthy workplace– Ensure workstations comply– Eyesight tests– Provide information, instruction and

training

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Legal FrameworkLegal Framework

Employees’ duties

– Follow the rules – Work safely– Report problems

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Hazards and Potential Hazards and Potential Health EffectsHealth EffectsHazards

– Poor posture– Working for too long– Poor working environment– Poor management of workload

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Hazards and Potential Hazards and Potential Health EffectsHealth EffectsPotential health effects

– Visual discomfort– Upper limb disorders - RSI– Aches and pains – Stress

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VisionVision

HeadachesVisual fatigue

– Sore– Irritated– Tired

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Vision Vision

From

– Working too long– Dry environment– Glare– Existing conditions

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VisionVision

Can aggravate existing conditionsEyesight gradually worsens with

age

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VisionVision

Contact lenses

– A dry atmosphere– Blinking less

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VisionVision

Use the Hansen Eyecare schemeReport problems to your

supervisorSeek medical advice

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Hansen’s Eye Care SchemeHansen’s Eye Care Scheme

Consistent with the DSE regulations

Eyesight testsA pair of basic spectacles for DSE

work Test may identify the cause of

problems

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Hansen’s Eyecare SchemeHansen’s Eyecare Scheme

Follow the optician's advice Wear any spectacles providedTests before starting DSE

activities

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MusculoskeletalMusculoskeletal

General fatigue, aches and pains– Workstation problem– May indicate other problems

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MusculoskeletalMusculoskeletal

Many musculoskeletal disorders start with – Numbness– Tingling– Aching hands, fingers or limbs

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Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal

May be aggravated by work Or manifest at workBackache may indicate poor

posture

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Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal

Long termProblems may get worseDon’t leave things

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Musculoskeletal Musculoskeletal

If you suffer discomfort, report it to your supervisor or manager

Seek medical advice as soon as possible

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Common MisconceptionsCommon Misconceptions

Do not give off harmful radiationDo not cause complications

during pregnancy– Source: national radiological

protection boardUnlikely to induce epileptic

seizures or fitsDo not damage eyesight

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Common MisconceptionsCommon Misconceptions

Any concerns Seek medical advice

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Users and Those at RiskUsers and Those at Risk

Defined as– No alternative – Need significant training or

particular skills– Use the display screen for

continuous spells of an hour or more

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UsersUsers

– Use the equipment most days– Have to input data quickly or

accurately– Need high levels of concentration or

undertake critical work

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UsersUsers

Hansen define regular users as– Either at least one-hour continuous

work or– Two and a half hours accumulatively

Risk low if users follow safe working procedures

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High Risk UsersHigh Risk Users

Working all day with a screen InputtingWord processingA computer aided design (CAD)

operator

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Moderate Risk UsersModerate Risk Users

A secretary or personal assistant

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Low Risk UsersLow Risk Users

A salesperson that inputs daily sales figures

Somebody that does not use a DSE every day

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Not UsersNot Users

A senior manager who uses the screen for brief enquiries

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Not UsersNot Users

A receptionist, who occasionally, interrogates the screen for information

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Conducting an AssessmentConducting an Assessment

Risk assessment– Each workstation – Trained assessors– A standard, company pro-forma– Reflecting an ‘ergonomic approach’

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ErgonomicsErgonomics

Adapting the task to fit the workerAdjust and use the equipment to

individuals’ needs

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ErgonomicsErgonomics

User positionEquipmentScreen positionEnvironmentSoftware 

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Conducting an AssessmentConducting an Assessment

 Risk assessments may recommend – Wrist supports– Footrests– Other ergonomic measures– Changes to the workplace

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The Pro FormaThe Pro Forma

Fill in information at top of assessment record

Read the question in ‘risk factors’, if ‘yes’, assessment complete

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The Pro FormaThe Pro Forma

To satisfy the regulations, a ‘yes’ is required for questions in the ‘equipment factors’ section

If ‘no’ action is required

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The Pro FormaThe Pro Forma

If ‘no’, look in ‘help’ sectionTry the solution If it does not work, further action

may be required If further action is required

– A purchase, put solution in ‘further action’ column

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The Pro FormaThe Pro Forma

If ‘no’, further action will be required

Enter action to be taken in ‘further actions’ column

Tick when action complete If in doubt, ask

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Section 1 - the Display ScreenSection 1 - the Display Screen

Positioned to suit the lighting and work

Glare can be irritatingCause eye fatigueForce users to adopt awkward

posturesMove screen to eliminate

reflections

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Section 1 - the Display ScreenSection 1 - the Display Screen

Glare filters– Can reduce reflections– Affects quality– To be used as a last resort

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Section 2 - Keyboard ComfortSection 2 - Keyboard Comfort

Positioning is important to overall comfort

Ideally, keyboard in front of the user

Gap, 50mm to 100mmTo rest the heels of the hands

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Section 2 - Keyboard ComfortSection 2 - Keyboard Comfort

Move the chair Fingers to rest comfortably on the

keys Wrists should not flex up or downAdjust the angle of slopeKeyboard glare-free

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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Purpose 

Desk spaceThings should be within easy

reachStretching or reaching can cause

stress and strain

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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Purpose  Ideal position

– Display screen and keyboard directly in front of the user 

Some tasks require more space in front of the user

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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Purpose 

Chair

A properly adjusted chair – Important to short term comfort– Long-term well being

Adjustable for height and back support

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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Purpose Poor posture can cause backache Pain in the neck and shouldersWorking for long periods in an

awkward position can cause fatigue in the short term 

Strain on the joints and muscles can cause harm in the long term

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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Purpose Personal comfort

Eyes should be level with the top of the VDU casing

Forearms horizontal with the keyboard

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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Purpose Armrests should not interfere with

keyingStill allow the chair under the

desk– Not a legal requirement

The space under the desk should be free from clutter, to allow ‘fidgeting’

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Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Purpose Feet flat on the floor or footrest,

weight on buttocks, not thighsThe back pad or support should

be adjustable– To fit the curve of the spine

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Section 4 – the Working Section 4 – the Working EnvironmentEnvironmentSpace

Is there enough room for the user(s) and the workstation(s)

Keep cables under control to prevent tripping hazards

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Section 4 – the Working Section 4 – the Working EnvironmentEnvironmentAmbience

– The temperature should be within reasonable limits 

– Noise should be within acceptable limits

– The lighting should be at a comfortable level

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Section 4 – the Working Section 4 – the Working EnvironmentEnvironmentThe humidity at an acceptable

level– Too dry, sore eyes

Reasonably well ventilated

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Section 4 – the Working Section 4 – the Working EnvironmentEnvironmentWill additional equipment affect

the working environment– Noise– Heat– Space

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Section 5 – the SoftwareSection 5 – the Software

Can the operator use the software they are expected to use

Is training required

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Conducting an AssessmentConducting an Assessment

Has everything been covered?

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Conducting An AssessmentConducting An Assessment

If yes to any question, answer concerns on hints

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Practical AssessmentPractical Assessment

Using the pro forma, conduct an assessment in the workplace

Debrief on assessment

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Follow UpFollow Up

If action is required, ensure that it is completed.– Bring completed assessments to

health and safety manager.– A Costed action plan shall be drawn

up.– Discussed with responsible manager.

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Follow UpFollow Up

– Approved, or not– Approved actions implemented– Once complete, assessment sheets

shall be updated– Returned to responsible manager

and filed– Changes will require additional

assessments

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Assessing Display Screen Assessing Display Screen EquipmentEquipment

Thanks for listening– Any questions

Be Safe