|
Safe Working with Visual
Display Units (VDUs)
Our focus herein is on working safely with VDU’s
identifying the correct set-up for
our workstation and thus minimize any potential hazards associated with such
work.
Firstly three
key definitions to explain what we are talking about:
User:
An employee who
habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of normal work.
Display
Screen:
An alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of the display process
employed.
Workstation:
Comprises the display screen equipment, furniture and immediate environment
Safe
working with VDUs requires well-designed work areas with suitable lighting,
comfortable and adjustable seating, adequate ventilation, safe and suitable
chairs and adequate lighting.
Hazards of Poorly Organised Workstation
Challenging visual
tasks can cause tiredness and headaches
Poor posture - leads
to fatigue and aches/pains
Poor posture + heavy
workload can lead to upper limb disorders
Key Workstation Requirements
The Screen
Characters well defined, clearly formed, of adequate size & adequate spacing
Image stable, no flicker
Brightness / contrast adjustable
Free of reflective glare
Swivel and tilt
Separate base
Recommended: - Viewing distance:
300 - 600mm,
Angle of vision:
15 – 20o
Should be slightly tilted upwards,
and at a height that means when you are looking at it your head is at a slight
downward angle
The tilt, brilliance
and contrast controls should be used to get an optimum set-up.
The Keyboard
Separate and Tiltable
Matt surface
Arranged to
facilitate user/comfortable distance
Symbols adequately
contrasted and legible
Space in front of
keyboard
Arm position - 900
angle
The Workdesk
Large, low
reflectance surface allowing flexible arrangement of screen, keyboard, documents
and equipment
Document holder
stable and adjustable position so as to minimize eye movement
Adequate space for
user to find a comfortable position
Adequate clearance
for thighs, knees and lower legs under work-surface
The Chair
Should be adjusted so
the back provides good lumber support
Adjusted so the seat throws you
slightly forward. Your seated position should leave your forearms
approximately horizontal
The Work Environment
Satisfactory lighting
conditions, appropriate contrast between screen and background environment
Glare shall be
prevented by co-ordinating the layout of workstations with the positioning and
characteristics of light sources
VDU position at right
angles to windows and parallel to longer side of overhead lights
Overhead lights
should not reflect in screen
Prevent light falling directly on
screen
Adequate level of
humidity (40 - 60%)
Noise should not
distract attention or disturb speech (<55dBA)
Equipment should not
produce excessive heat, workplace environment: 19 - 230C
Health Issues
Principle Risks:
Physical (musculoskeletal) problems
Visual Fatigue
Mental Stress
THESE ARE NOT
INEVITABLE CONSEQUESCES OF VDU WORK
Result from poor work organisation, bad design and continuous
long periods of VDU work
Daily work routine on a VDU should be periodically
interrupted by breaks or changes of activity; a mix of screen and non-screen
based work.
Eyesight Tests
There is no evidence
that working at display screens has any permanent effect on eyesight
All users of display screens may
have periodic eyesight tests, may be incorporated in your annual medical.
All workstations should be subject to
an assessment in accordance with the Regulations (1993 Safety Health & Welfare
at Work (General Application) Regulations, as a preliminary step in the
assessment all employees should complete the attached checklist following the
tool box talk and return to the Supervisor/Manager within a specified period.
The specialist safety personnel in your workplace should investigate a ‘no’
response.
Links to
other sources of information on VDU Safety:
UK
HSE Information on Office Safety
UK HSE research report on psychosocial risk
factors in
Call Centres and general HSE advice regarding
Call Centre Safety
UK based IOSH on
Teleworking
US based OSHA information on
Computer Work Stations and
Indoor Air Quality
US based NIOSH on
Indoor Air Quality
US based information source on
Indoor Air Quality and
Office Work Safety
US based information links on
Indoor Air Pollution
US based OSHA technical manual on
Indoor Air Quality Investigations,
Ventilation,
eTool on Computer Workstations
Australian information on
Office Safety and
Ergonomics and
Office Copying Machines,
Sick Building Syndrome,
General Office Safety
Australian
Virtual Office Safety
Australian based
Call Centre Safety information
Canadian information on
Indoor Air Quality and
Office Ergonomics
New Zealand checklist for
VDU Safety
|
VDU Safety