1. HEALTH AND SAFETY Working with Computers
The first few weeks of your hairdressing course you have looked at various aspects of Health and Safety associated with working in the salon, working with clients, workmates and with various hairdressing products/chemicals - dyes/perm solutions etc and equipment – hairdryers, hair-straightners, scissors etc.
Similarly there are Health and Safety issues associated with working with computers.
Remember what you are learning today in your essential skills class is not only for here in the classroom, but also at home and eventually in your workplace – these are skills that you are learning for life!
ICT Essential Skills Level 1
Susan Crawford

2.   Which one are you? Which one are you – Miss Perfect or Mr Slouch?
Very important to make sure you have the correct workstation set up! We are going to look at why Miss Perfect is the best option…..
Take into consideration the following:
Seating and posture – sitting upright - elbows at right angle – thighs are horizontal – chair adjusted to suit your body shape and height.
Desk - uncluttered – use a document holder for your work – allow space to work and don’t over stretch.
Hardware arrangement - Monitor height and tilt – eyes slightly below top of the monitor – tilted to avoid glare
Keyboard on the desk – not on your lap - mouse on the desk at the same level as the keyboard.
Lighting - to avoid glare on your screen
Heating should be adjustable to suit – not too warm or cold.
We are going to look at some these points more closely starting with……….
ICT Essential Skills LV 1

3. SEATING and POSTURE
Thighs and arms should be horizontal. Elbows at right angles.
Raise or lower the chair to suit your height.
Adjust chair to support your lower back.
Place feet squarely on the floor or on a footrest.
What part of your body could be affected by poor seating and posture?
Avoid backache.
In addition give your self plenty of space for your legs and body and avoid over stretching – can cause you to over tilt on your chair and fall off.
Don’t swing on chairs and/or move around the room on chairs – at risk of falling off chair.
SPACE – don’t be cramped!
Give yourself enough space for your body and legs.
Allow space on your desk for your work to avoid over stretching – can cause you to over tilt on your chair and fall.
Sit upright – don’t hunch or slump.
ICT Essential Skills LV 1

4. MONITOR Watch those peepers!
Monitor in front at a distance of an arms length.
Artificial tears/eye drops will help eyes from drying up.
Tilt monitor to avoid glare. Close blinds if necessary.
Blink regularly and occasionally look away from the monitor.
Take care of your eyes – you don’t want to wear glasses before you have to even though they are trendy!
Focus on object in the distance to refresher or re-align your vision/eyes.
Eyes slightly below the top of the monitor.
ICT Essential Skills LV 1

5. RSI Repetitive Strain Injury
Caused by using computers for long periods of time.
Repeating the same action over and over.
Using a computer incorrectly will place a strain of your body i.e. hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck and back.
Can cause permanent damage!
Hairdressers can also suffer from RSI – blowing drying or styling hair – the same action repeated over and over again can cause RSI not just working with computers.
ICT Essential Skills LV 1

6. How do I avoid RSI? Take frequent breaks! Sit in the correct position.
Don’t type or use your mouse for too long.
Mouse claw not a good look!
Thumping keyboard keys not a good idea even though you’ve had a bad day!
Show the wrist rest.
Click mouse for this - Frequent breaks – every half hour or 10mins per hour.
Don’t bend your wrists - use a wrist rest.
Type gently – don’t thump the keys.
ICT Essential Skills LV 1

7. What happens when a computer falls on you?
AVOIDING HAZARDS
What happens when a computer falls on you?
IT MEGA HERTZ
Apart from the arrangement of your work area you must avoid other hazards associated with using computers or a computer room.
ICT Essential Skills LV 1

8. CABLES AND BAGS Avoid tripping accidents!
Keep computer cables tidy and out of the way – not lying across the floor!
Keep all aisles and walkways free!
Store bags and personal items under your desk!
You don’t want to trip and I don’t want to trip! Not a good look!
ICT Essential Skills LV 1

9. NEVER EAT OR DRINK WHEN USING A COMPUTER!
FOOD AND DRINK
NEVER EAT OR DRINK WHEN USING A COMPUTER!
Apart from damaging your computer you are also at risk of electrocution or starting a fire.
Go over general rules from induction week:
Never run in the ICT room.
Do not interfere with any of the equipment.
Report any faults immediately to tutor.
Establish a routine of working safely – close the blinds, tilt your monitor, blink your eyes, adjust the chair, bags under the desk etc Take frequent breaks
ICT Essential Skills LV 1

10. FIVE STEP SAFETY ROUTINE
Chairs
Monitor and Eyes
Keyboard and Mouse
Identify Hazards
Breaks
Tilt to avoid glare. Blink regularly.
Adjust to suit your height and give support.
Take frequently.
Use correctly to avoid RSI.
Establish a routine – just as with hair care or skin care.
Game of pairs.
Bags, cables, food and drink.
ICT Essential Skills LV 1

11. GAME ON! BASH THE TEACHER BURSTING BALLOONS BOY/GIRL RACER
WAG'S SAVE YOUR TEAM
Copy of this PowerPoint demonstration is on the current week of Moodle. Bash the teacher recommended.
Allowing students to practice with their mouse control and using the keyboard 1.1 b – use of input devices.
Also allowing students to play games 1.2 e
Testing and underpinning knowledge of Health and Safety 1.1 h
ICT Essential Skills LV 1