Computer Safety

Many people now use computers, or Visual Display Units (VDUs), as part of their normal working routines. Working with VDUs does pose unique health and safety issues that must be addressed by both employers and employees to ensure that using such equipment does not affect a person's health or safety.

Where problems do occur when working with VDUs, it is often as a result of how the equipment is used rather than the equipment itself. It is also a fact that a VDU operator working in a comfortable and adjustable workstation is more productive and efficient.

Incorrect use of VDUs can affect people’s health in the following ways:

* Eyesight problems, including headaches, caused by screen glare, straining to look at VDU screens for long periods, and monitors incorrectly positioned, i.e. too far away or too close for comfortable viewing.

* Increased levels of stress are often reported by VDU users and this can usually be attributed to an increased pace of work.

* Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) is a commonly-used term that refers to aches, pains and disorders suffered as a result of prolonged use of badly-adjusted VDU equipment. A more accurate term for this problem is Upper Limb Disorders (ULDs). Usually these disorders do not last for long periods but in a few cases they may become persistent or even disabling.

The first step in ensuring VDU safety is for employers to assess all VDU workstations to evaluate safety and health conditions. Such assessments are a legal requirement under regulations and should include all staff that habitually use VDU equipment. An assessment of a VDU workstation should include the following areas:

The Workstation

The ability for VDU operators to work in a comfortable position is important. The chair should be adjustable (both for height and back support) and enable the operator’s forearms to be approximately horizontal with the VDU at the same height as the eyes.

* An adjustable footrest should be provided to avoid excessive pressure on the legs from the edge of the seat.

* The work area should be large enough to take whatever documents or other equipment is needed.

* The operator should be able to adjust the arrangement of the keyboard and mouse to find and maintain a comfortable and convenient position. Often a space in front of the keyboard is useful for resting the hands and wrists.

The Environment

* The monitor should be situated so as to avoid glare or bright reflections; and a position where neither the operator nor screen directly faces windows or bright lights is preferable. Blinds or curtains on windows can also aid in reducing screen glare.

* The monitor itself should be adjustable for brightness and contrast to suit lighting conditions and be maintained in a clean condition to aid vision. The monitor should not flicker or move; if it does then the equipment may need servicing or adjustment.

The Operator

* VDU operators should not maintain the same posture for long periods and a certain amount of movement is desirable. Most VDU work also involves a certain amount of other work such as filing, photocopying and similar duties. VDU operators should try and avoid long periods of VDU-only work and intersperse this work with their other duties. As a general rule for every hour of VDU work, a 5-10 minute period of non-VDU work, within that hour, would be considered satisfactory.

* If a workstation is shared then it is important that each operator be allowed to carry out individual adjustments to the workstation to find and maintain a comfortable work position. Employers should allow the operator sufficient time for them to carry out these adjustments that may take a few minutes at most.

The Software

* When choosing software for PCs and VDUs, consideration should be given as to whether it allows font colour and size adjustments so that operators can choose a scheme and size that suits their eyesight and conditions in which they work. Most modern software does allow this and staff should be encouraged to try different schemes to find the most appropriate one for them.

Further guidance and information on VDU use is available from your local authority, Environmental Health Department or the HSE.