2. Hansen – Managing Safely 1 Assessing Display Screen Equipment Mark Mallen Health And Safety Manager Fenlock-Hansen Ltd

3. Hansen – Managing Safely 2 Introduction DSE? Why am I here?

4. Hansen – Managing Safely 3 Course Content What is display screen equipment Legal framework Hazards Potential health effects

5. Hansen – Managing Safely 4 Course Content Common misconceptions Users Those at risk Conducting an assessment Follow-up

6. Hansen – Managing Safely 5 What Is Display Screen Equipment ? Known as VDUs – Computer terminals – Liquid crystal displays – Microfiche – Process control screens – Not televisions

7. Hansen – Managing Safely 6 Legal Framework The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 – the ‘VDU Regs’ – Part of the ‘six pack’ – Aim of preventing ill health – Imposes legal responsibilities and duties

8. Hansen – Managing Safely 7 Legal Framework Employers’ Duties – Assess risks – Provide a healthy workplace – Ensure workstations comply – Eyesight tests – Provide information, instruction and training

9. Hansen – Managing Safely 8 Legal Framework Employees’ duties – Follow the rules – Work safely – Report problems

10. Hansen – Managing Safely 9 Hazards and Potential Health Effects Hazards – Poor posture – Working for too long – Poor working environment – Poor management of workload

11. Hansen – Managing Safely 10 Hazards and Potential Health Effects Potential health effects – Visual discomfort – Upper limb disorders - RSI – Aches and pains – Stress

12. Hansen – Managing Safely 11 Vision Headaches Visual fatigue – Sore – Irritated – Tired

13. Hansen – Managing Safely 12 Vision From – Working too long – Dry environment – Glare – Existing conditions

14. Hansen – Managing Safely 13 Vision Can aggravate existing conditions Eyesight gradually worsens with age

15. Hansen – Managing Safely 14 Vision Contact lenses – A dry atmosphere – Blinking less

16. Hansen – Managing Safely 15 Vision Use the Hansen Eyecare scheme Report problems to your supervisor Seek medical advice

17. Hansen – Managing Safely 16 Hansen’s Eye Care Scheme Consistent with the DSE regulations Eyesight tests A pair of basic spectacles for DSE work Test may identify the cause of problems

18. Hansen – Managing Safely 17 Hansen’s Eyecare Scheme Follow the optician's advice Wear any spectacles provided Tests before starting DSE activities

19. Hansen – Managing Safely 18 Musculoskeletal General fatigue, aches and pains – Workstation problem – May indicate other problems

20. Hansen – Managing Safely 19 Musculoskeletal Many musculoskeletal disorders start with – Numbness – Tingling – Aching hands, fingers or limbs

21. Hansen – Managing Safely 20 Musculoskeletal May be aggravated by work Or manifest at work Backache may indicate poor posture

22. Hansen – Managing Safely 21 Musculoskeletal Long term Problems may get worse Don’t leave things

23. Hansen – Managing Safely 22 Musculoskeletal If you suffer discomfort, report it to your supervisor or manager Seek medical advice as soon as possible

24. Hansen – Managing Safely 23 Common Misconceptions Do not give off harmful radiation Do not cause complications during pregnancy –Source: national radiological protection board Unlikely to induce epileptic seizures or fits Do not damage eyesight

25. Hansen – Managing Safely 24 Common Misconceptions Any concerns Seek medical advice

26. Hansen – Managing Safely 25 Users and Those at Risk Defined as – No alternative – Need significant training or particular skills – Use the display screen for continuous spells of an hour or more

27. Hansen – Managing Safely 26 Users – Use the equipment most days – Have to input data quickly or accurately – Need high levels of concentration or undertake critical work

28. Hansen – Managing Safely 27 Users Hansen define regular users as – Either at least one-hour continuous work or – Two and a half hours accumulatively Risk low if users follow safe working procedures

29. Hansen – Managing Safely 28 High Risk Users Working all day with a screen Inputting Word processing A computer aided design (CAD) operator

30. Hansen – Managing Safely 29 Moderate Risk Users A secretary or personal assistant

31. Hansen – Managing Safely 30 Low Risk Users A salesperson that inputs daily sales figures Somebody that does not use a DSE every day

32. Hansen – Managing Safely 31 Not Users A senior manager who uses the screen for brief enquiries

33. Hansen – Managing Safely 32 Not Users A receptionist, who occasionally, interrogates the screen for information

34. Hansen – Managing Safely 33 Conducting an Assessment Risk assessment – Each workstation – Trained assessors – A standard, company pro-forma – Reflecting an ‘ergonomic approach’

35. Hansen – Managing Safely 34 Ergonomics Adapting the task to fit the worker Adjust and use the equipment to individuals’ needs

36. Hansen – Managing Safely 35 Ergonomics User position Equipment Screen position Environment Software

37. Hansen – Managing Safely 36 Conducting an Assessment Risk assessments may recommend – Wrist supports – Footrests – Other ergonomic measures – Changes to the workplace

38. Hansen – Managing Safely 37 The Pro Forma Fill in information at top of assessment record Read the question in ‘risk factors’, if ‘yes’, assessment complete

39. Hansen – Managing Safely 38 The Pro Forma To satisfy the regulations, a ‘yes’ is required for questions in the ‘equipment factors’ section If ‘no’ action is required

40. Hansen – Managing Safely 39 The Pro Forma If ‘no’, look in ‘help’ section Try the solution If it does not work, further action may be required If further action is required – A purchase, put solution in ‘further action’ column

41. Hansen – Managing Safely 40 The Pro Forma If ‘no’, further action will be required Enter action to be taken in ‘further actions’ column Tick when action complete If in doubt, ask

42. Hansen – Managing Safely 41 Section 1 - the Display Screen Positioned to suit the lighting and work Glare can be irritating Cause eye fatigue Force users to adopt awkward postures Move screen to eliminate reflections

43. Hansen – Managing Safely 42 Section 1 - the Display Screen Glare filters – Can reduce reflections – Affects quality – To be used as a last resort

44. Hansen – Managing Safely 43 Section 2 - Keyboard Comfort Positioning is important to overall comfort Ideally, keyboard in front of the user Gap, 50mm to 100mm To rest the heels of the hands

45. Hansen – Managing Safely 44 Section 2 - Keyboard Comfort Move the chair Fingers to rest comfortably on the keys Wrists should not flex up or down Adjust the angle of slope Keyboard glare-free

46. Hansen – Managing Safely 45 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Desk space Things should be within easy reach Stretching or reaching can cause stress and strain

47. Hansen – Managing Safely 46 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Ideal position – Display screen and keyboard directly in front of the user Some tasks require more space in front of the user

48. Hansen – Managing Safely 47 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Chair A properly adjusted chair – Important to short term comfort – Long-term well being Adjustable for height and back support

49. Hansen – Managing Safely 48 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Poor posture can cause backache Pain in the neck and shoulders Working for long periods in an awkward position can cause fatigue in the short term Strain on the joints and muscles can cause harm in the long term

50. Hansen – Managing Safely 49 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Personal comfort Eyes should be level with the top of the VDU casing Forearms horizontal with the keyboard

51. Hansen – Managing Safely 50 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Armrests should not interfere with keying Still allow the chair under the desk – Not a legal requirement The space under the desk should be free from clutter, to allow ‘fidgeting’

52. Hansen – Managing Safely 51 Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Section 3 - Furniture ‘Fit’ for Purpose Feet flat on the floor or footrest, weight on buttocks, not thighs The back pad or support should be adjustable – To fit the curve of the spine

53. Hansen – Managing Safely 52 Section 4 – the Working Environment Space Is there enough room for the user(s) and the workstation(s) Keep cables under control to prevent tripping hazards

54. Hansen – Managing Safely 53 Section 4 – the Working Environment Ambience – The temperature should be within reasonable limits – Noise should be within acceptable limits – The lighting should be at a comfortable level

55. Hansen – Managing Safely 54 Section 4 – the Working Environment The humidity at an acceptable level – Too dry, sore eyes Reasonably well ventilated

56. Hansen – Managing Safely 55 Section 4 – the Working Environment Will additional equipment affect the working environment – Noise – Heat – Space

57. Hansen – Managing Safely 56 Section 5 – the Software Can the operator use the software they are expected to use Is training required

58. Hansen – Managing Safely 57 Conducting an Assessment Has everything been covered?

59. Hansen – Managing Safely 58 Conducting An Assessment If yes to any question, answer concerns on hints

60. Hansen – Managing Safely 59 Practical Assessment Using the pro forma, conduct an assessment in the workplace Debrief on assessment

61. Hansen – Managing Safely 60 Follow Up If action is required, ensure that it is completed. – Bring completed assessments to health and safety manager. – A Costed action plan shall be drawn up. – Discussed with responsible manager.

62. Hansen – Managing Safely 61 Follow Up – Approved, or not – Approved actions implemented – Once complete, assessment sheets shall be updated – Returned to responsible manager and filed – Changes will require additional assessments

63. Hansen – Managing Safely 62 Assessing Display Screen Equipment Thanks for listening –Any questions Be Safe