1. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Professionalism and Personal Skills Lecture 8: Ergonomics, Computers and Health and Safety

2. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Objectives By the end of this lecture the student should – –Understand the importance of Ergonomics –Appreciate the importance of the Proposals of Rights Campaign –Appreciate the relevant legislation –Appreciate the importance of the Council Directive Professionalism and Personal Skills

3. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Introduction Ergonomics Background HASAWA COSHH Regulations H&S in the factory and the office Proposals of Rights Campaign Trade Unions and VDUs The Council Directive Summary and Further Reading Professionalism and Personal Skills

4. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Overview Legislation has been introduced to protect data privacy (Data Protection Act) and to control the misuse of computers. (Computer Misuse Act) The bona fide user of computers was, however, unprotected, and was subject to working in poor conditions which could lead to injury In this lecture, we address these issues and look at current directives Professionalism and Personal Skills

5. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Ergonomics “The study of the efficiency of persons in their working environment” (Concise Oxford Dictionary) Is concerned with ensuring that a person can work efficiently through – –Posture –Heating –Lighting etc In short, that the man-machine interface is optimised Famous Case - The Cranford Man Professionalism and Personal Skills

6. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Background 1970sH&S became a major issue 1974Health & Safety at Work Act (HASAWA) became law 1977Amendments to HASAWA 1980sH&S became a major topic of concern- Visual Display Units (VDUs) 1983Health & Safety Executive (HSE) Professionalism and Personal Skills

7. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Background 1985A VDU Worker’s Rights Campaign launched 1989COSHH regulations law 199029 th May EEC produced a directive (No. L156/14) on the minimum health and safety requirements for work with Display Screen Equipment Professionalism and Personal Skills

8. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 HASAWA 1974 The Act itself The 1977 amendments Other legislation Conclusions Professionalism and Personal Skills

9. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 COSHH Regulations and Computers Control of Substances Hazardous to Health act 1989 How does it affect computing? What should you do? Professionalism and Personal Skills

10. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 H & S in the Factory The effect of computers in this area –1 Creativity –2 Mental rather than physical fatigue –3 Rapid response required –4 Shift work –5 Absenteeism Professionalism and Personal Skills

11. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 H & S in the Factory Warr & Wall (1975) identify the following jobs as being particularly prone to stress – –1 Repetitive, fast strenuous production line work –2 Tense, responsible contracted work –3 Work which involves conflicting demands from above and below (e.g. Foremen) “All these areas of work are being significantly affected by information technology; therefore increased stress can be expected” (Rowe, P74) Professionalism and Personal Skills

12. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 H & S in the Factory Work monitoring and Pacing Alternative design Professionalism and Personal Skills

13. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 H & S in the Office (Some principles apply to the factory too) H & S Issues in the Office Common Complaints Pregnancy and VDUs Management Views Ergonomics Job Satisfaction Professionalism and Personal Skills

14. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Proposals of Rights Campaign 1 hour limit on continuous work at VDUs, followed by a 15 minute break and a maximum of 4 hours VDU work per day Compulsory shielding of all terminals to eliminate electromagnetic radiation The right of VDU users to transfer to other work while pregnant Design requirements in offices to minimise “Visual, Postural and Ergonomic Stress” Regular eyesight and medical checks Professionalism and Personal Skills

15. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Trade unions and VDUs The 1985 VDU workers right campaign New Technology Agreements TUC Concerns Professionalism and Personal Skills

16. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 The Council Directive “The use as such of the equipment must not be a source of risk for workers” Professionalism and Personal Skills

17. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 The Council Directive (cont) What is covered? – –1 Equipment –2 Environment –3 Operator/Computer Interface Professionalism and Personal Skills

18. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Summary Ergonomics Background HASAWA COSHH Regulations H + S in the Factory and the Office Proposals of Rights Campaign Trade Unions and VDUs The Council Directive Professionalism and Personal Skills

19. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Compulsory Further Reading Rowe: Pages 73 - 75, 85 – 92, + see index for IT and H&S Council Directive and distributed HSE Publications Professionalism and Personal Skills

20. University of Sunderland Professionalism and Personal Skills Unit 8 Objectives –Understand the importance of Ergonomics –Appreciate the importance of the Proposals of Rights Campaign –Appreciate the relevant legislation –Appreciate the importance of the Council Directive Professionalism and Personal Skills