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Health & Safety in the CST Labs

Working with Computers: Health and Safety Issues

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 came into effect from January 1993 to implement an EC Directive.

Visual display unit (VDU), visual display terminal (VDT), monitor and display screen equipment (DSE) all mean the same thing - a display screen, usually forming part of a computer and showing text, numbers and graphics.

The Regulations apply where staff habitually use VDUs as a significant part of their normal work. Other people, who use VDUs only occasionally, are not covered by these Regulations, but their employers still have general duties to protect them under other health and safety at work legislation.

What can I do to help myself?

Getting Comfortable听

• Adjust your chair and VDU to find the most comfortable position for your work. As a broad guide, your forearms should be approximately horizontal and your eyes the same height as the top of the VDU;
• Make sure you have enough desk space for documents and other equipment;
• Try different arrangements of keyboard, screen, mouse and documents to find the best arrangement for you. A document holder may help you avoid awkward neck and eye movements;
• Arrange your desk and VDU to avoid glare, or bright reflections on screen. This will be easiest if neither you nor the screen is directly facing windows or bright lights. Adjust curtains and blinds to prevent unwanted light;
• Make sure there is space under your desk to move your legs freely. Move any obstacles such as boxes or equipment;
• Avoid excess pressure from the edge of your seat on the backs of your legs and knees.

Keying in

• Adjust your keyboard to get a good keying position. A space in front of the keyboard is sometimes helpful for resting the hands and wrists when not keying;
• Try to keep your wrists straight when keying. Keep a soft touch on the keys and don't overstretch you fingers. Good keyboard technique is important.

Using a mouse

• Position the mouse within easy reach, so it can be used with the wrist straight. Sit upright and close to the desk, so you don't have to work with your mouse arm stretched. Move the keyboard out of the way if it is not being used;
• Support your forearm on the desk, and don't grip the mouse too tightly;
• Rest your fingers lightly on the buttons and do not press them hard.

Reading the screen

• Adjust the brightness and contrast controls on the screen to suit the lighting conditions in the room;
• Make sure the screen surface is clean;
• In setting up software, choose options giving text that is large enough to read easily on your screen, when you are sitting in a normal, comfortable working position. Select colours that are easy on the eye (avoid red text on a blue background, or vice-versa);
• Individual characters on the screen should be sharply focused and should not flicker or move. If they do, the VDU may need servicing or adjustment.

Posture and breaks

• Do not sit in the same position for long periods. Make sure you change your posture as often as practicable. Some movement is desirable, but avoid repeated stretching to reach things you need;
• Frequent short breaks are better than fewer long ones. Please do not lock your computer there are plenty of computers to use in the labs.