1. Computer Systems 1 Fundamentals of Computing
Health & Safety

2. Health & Safety Working with computers Effects on life Health & Safety
Social aspects
Legal requirements / implications
Equipment specific aspects
Environmental issues
Ergonomics
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3. Working with computers
Risks and effects associated with computer use
These are not only health related but also have social and economical implications
Computers and technology encroach on many aspects of everyday life
Desktop computers
Laptop computers
PDA’s
Mobile phones
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4. Working with computers
“All businesses must ensure their workplace - whether this is a factory, office or shop - meets minimum health and safety standards.”
IT Related employer responsibilities:
carrying out a risk assessment
ensuring employees use IT equipment safely
reporting accidents or dangerous incidents in the workplace to the relevant authorities
UK Law (
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5. General Health & Safety
Risk Assessment
All business must carry out an assessment
Issues
What are the potential hazards?
What hazard prevention measures are in place?
Five Step Risk Assessment
Look for the hazards
Decide who might be harmed and how
Evaluate risks and decide whether existing precautions are adequate or whether more needs to be done
Record your findings
Review your risk assessment from time to time and revise it
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6. General Health & Safety
Equipment Regulations
Equipment must be suitable and safe to use under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
All equipment must be:
suitable for its intended use
maintained in a safe condition
accompanied by suitable safety measures such as protective devices, markings and warnings
Only people who have received adequate information, instruction and training use the equipment.
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7. Specific IT Regulations
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
Measures:
Ensure workstations and workplace layout meet a range of minimum requirements in areas such as clarity of image, adjustable chairs and suitable lighting
Ensure staff receive a Display Screen Equipment risk assessment and arising problems are resolved
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8. Specific IT Regulations
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
Measures continued:
Give staff regular breaks away from display screens
Pay for employees' eye tests on request
Provide training so staff can use their VDU and workstation safely
VDU User Guide
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9. Health and Safety Predominantly because of keyboard and mouse use
RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury)
Primarily affects the hand and arms (pain!!!)
Can cause permanent damage
CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome)
Mainly affects the wrists of computer users
Especially in the mouse hand
Swelling of tendons, causes pressure on the nerves
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10. Health and Safety VDU use VDU = Visual Display Unit Eye strain
The monitor or screen to you and I
Eye strain
Poor positioning of monitor
Issues with electrostatic fields
Skin and eye irritation
Magnetic & light radiation
Issues with electromagnetic fields
Reduction of immune system effectiveness
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11. Solutions - Overview Working environment OHSA (US) UK Health and
Occupational
Health and
Safety
Administration
UK Health and
Safety Executive
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12. Solutions - Overview Ergonomics Wrist supports Monitor filters
Correct posture
Positioning of components
Copy holders
Better work environment
Adjustable chair, desk, etc.
Wrist supports
Monitor filters
Regular breaks
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13. VDU Legal Requirements
Computer screens should:
tilt and swivel to suit the needs of the user
be adjusted to the correct height for the user
show clear characters with adequate spacing
show a stable image with no flickering
have easily adjustable brightness and contrast controls
be free of reflected glare
have a screen size suitable for its intended use
You should also ensure that users know:
how to adjust brightness and contrast controls to suit
keep the screen surface clean
how to adjust software settings to make text large enough to read easily
take frequent breaks
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14. Keyboard Legal Requirements
Keyboards should:
be tilt adjustable and separate from the screen to allow the user to work comfortably
have enough space in front of them to allow the user to rest their hands and arms when not keying
be legible and have a matt surface to minimise glare
You should also ensure that users:
adjust the keyboard to get a comfortable position
keep their wrists straight when keying
use the keys lightly and not overstretch their fingers
take frequent breaks
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15. Pointing Device Legal Requirements
If an employee uses a mouse, trackball or other pointing device for long periods, they may develop problems in their hands, wrists or upper body
Minimise risk by:
Train user to use the mouse with relaxed arm and a straight wrist
informing the user that their fingers should rest lightly on the buttons and not press too hard
limiting the length of intensive mouse sessions
ensuring users take frequent short breaks
ensuring the device is suitable for the task
training the user in keyboard shortcuts
training the user to adjust the software settings - these control the reaction time between the mouse and the cursor on the screen
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16. Laptop Advice
Some design features on laptops and portable computers can make them uncomfortable to use for long periods
Employees shouldn't therefore use laptops where full-sized equipment is available
Laptops should:
be as light as possible - 3kg or under
be fitted with as large and clear a screen as possible
preferably detachable or height-adjustable
come with a lightweight carrying case with handle and shoulder straps
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17. Laptop Advice Laptops should: have a tilt-adjustable keyboard
be able to be used with a docking station
have friction pads underneath to prevent sliding across work surfaces
have enough memory and speed for the software used
be fitted with as long a battery life as possible and have extra transformer/cable sets provided so that the user has a set in each main location where the equipment is used
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18. Laptop Advice Laptops users should be aware of:
comfortable postures for using a laptop
using the keyboard at the right height
adjusting the screen to reduce reflection and glare
the need for regular rest breaks
how to report any problems that develop
how to reduce the manual handling risk,
eg by reducing the amount of extra equipment and paperwork to be carried
how to reduce the risk from theft or mugging
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19. The Workstation Desks: Chair:
big enough to allow the user to arrange the screen, keyboard, documents, etc in a flexible way
have a matt surface
big enough to let the user work comfortably & change position
be stable and positioned so that it's comfortable and easy to use where an employee uses a document holder
Chair:
be stable and allow the user to work comfortably
be adjustable in height
have a seat back adjustable in height and tilt
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20. Social Implications of Computers
Computers are everywhere!
IT training becoming a necessity
Everyone prone to health and safety issues with technology
Stress / ‘Computer rage’
Software manufacturers fault?
Information easily available and easy to share
Less need for social interaction
Why can’t the computer do it?
Laziness?
Un-sociable society?
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21. CS1: Week 10 What you know now: Aspects of safety
General working requirements
IT Specifics
Monitors
Working with computers
Health & Safety Issues
VDU usage
Workstation
Equipment safety
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