The Myths, Mysteries and the Miracles of Computer Ergonomics

by Roger Coles

IOSH South Coast Branch9 June 2014

Date:

To give members and guests an awareness of workstation Members and guests should be able to:

Identify indicators of poor posture

Set-up a workstation for a user

Know when to seek professional help

Objectives

Why is there specific legislation covering this very common and seemingly low risk activity?

Legislation

Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974

Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992

Criminal Law

Who are DSE Users

Training requirements for DSE Assessors

Before – Requirements of workstations (schedule)

Provision of training

Day 1 – Analysis of workstations

Provision of information

Ongoing- Daily work routine (breaks)

Eyes and eyesight

Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992

Lacy V. Shropshire Career Service – WRULD – £12,367.80

McPherson V. London Borough of Camden – De Quervain’s Syndrome

– £98,194

Conaty V. Barclays Bank plc – De Quervain’s Syndrome – £243,792

Civil Law

Low efficiency / morale

Lost time

Sick absence

Unnecessary posture aids

Legal costs – PI claim

Where are Real Losses Occurring?

Criminal Law V. Civil Law

Minimum requirements

Provision of training

Analysis of workstations

Provision of information

Daily work routine (breaks)

Eyes and eyesight

DSE Assessor Training

What do we already know?

What do we already know?

Are armrests beneficial?

Chair Requirements

When would a user need one?

Footrests

Which type is best?

Keyboards

Which type is best?

Mice

Posture Set-up Sequence

So that they can get themselves into a stable posture:

• Begin away from the desk• Building block sequence - one way street• Mostly about the chair• What the User feels like at each stage, not what

they look like

AfterBefore

Where is it going wrong?

Office Squirrels

Think Thunderbirds!!