Computer Health and Safety

Computer Health and Safety

• Why we need to concentrate on Health and Safety  ?
• Workers have received considerable damages for injuries caused through use of computers.
• Can increase the Productivity. (Health) 
• Reducing the sickness in PUBLIC. 
• Minimize risks for all workers. 

The Law

•Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 
•Management of Health & Safety at Work Regulations 1992 
•Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1992 
•Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 

What Employers should know ?

•Understanding the law
•Being aware of the health risks
•Assessing the risks.
•Taking steps to minimize the risks.
•Training all users to recognize the risks.
•Taking users views seriously -if users feel there is something wrong there often is.

The Risks 

•Continual discomfort 
•Aches & Pains. (Pain affects the bones, muscles and nerves, Back and neck pain)
•Tension, stress & headaches.
•Hurting
•Eye strain. (Visual weakness,Blurred or double vision,Burning and watering eyes) 
•Shock.
•Difficulty.

Laptop User Problems 

•small screens. 
•keyboards and inbuilt pointing devices. (small portable mouse or touchpad)
•Long Use. 
•Skin Problems / burns. 

Prevention is better than cure

•Increase in computer use –number of HEALTH & SAFTY issues increased. ( Problems are TEMPORARY & it can be RESOLVED) 
•It can be PREVENTABLE –Using simple corrective Methods. 

•Taking regular breaks from working at your computer -a few minutes at least once an hour
•Alternating work tasks.
•Regular stretching to relax your body.
•Using equipment such as footrests, wrist rests and document holders.
•Keeping your mouse and keyboard at the same level.
•Avoiding gripping your mouse too tightly -hold the mouse lightly and click gently.
•Regular eye testing.
•Familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts for applications you regularly use. (to avoid overusing the mouse)
•Be positioned so the top line of the monitor is no higher than your eyes or no lower than.
•There must be adequate space around the machine.
•Ventilation must be suitable.
•lighting must be suitable with no glare or reflections.
•Benches must be strong enough to support the computers.
•Electrical sockets must not be overloaded.
•Food and drink should not be placed near a machine.
•Table should Have rounded corners and edges. 
•Remove the power cable when you are not using. 
•Organize the power cable.  

When using Keyboards 

•Be removable and adjustable. (with legs to adjust angle) 
•Allow your forearms to be parallel to the floor without raising your elbows. 
•Allow your wrists to be in line with your forearms so your wrists does not need to be flexed up or down. 
•Include enough space to rest your wrists or should include a padded detachable wrist rest. (or you can use a separate gel wrist rest which should be at least 50 mm deep) 
•Be placed directly in front of the monitor and at the same height as the mouse, track ball or touch pad 

Chairs should

•Support the back -and have a vertically adjustable.
•independent back rest that returns to its original position and has tilt adjustment to support the lower back.
•Allow chair height to be adjusted from a sitting position.
•Be adjusted so the back crease of the knee is slightly higher than the pan of the chair (use a suitable footrest where necessary) 

Monitor 

•Blinking regularly.
•Keeping the air around you moist. (Smoking)
•Adjusting the screen height.
•Adjusting the brightness, contrast & refresh rate.
•Monitor screen must be clean. 
•Servicing, repairing or replacing monitors that flicker or have poor clarity