1. Health and safety in relation to the use of ICT systems
AS Level ICT
Health and safety in relation to the use of ICT systems
Unit 1 Topic a - Health and safety in relation to the use of ICT systems

2. Health and Safety – Why? People have a right to be safe at work
All employers must do as much as they can to ensure that their workers are safe
This is enforceable in law – Health and Safety at Work Act (1974)
There are also specific regulations about the use of computers in the workplace – Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

3. Hazards in an ICT workplace
The main hazards to heath in an ICT workplace are:
Backache
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Eye strain and Headaches
Stress
Radiation

4. Backache What can be done to alleviate backache?
The provision of an adjustable chair that:
Can swivel
Have a movable base with at least five castors
Have adjustable back rests that support the lower back area
Can be set at a suitable height for each user

5. Backache What can be done to alleviate backache?
Provision of foot supports or foot rests
Correct posture (sitting straight on the chair with your feet flat on the floor)
Regular breaks to change posture
Adjusting the screen so that it is lined up and tilted at an appropriate angle

6. Repetitive strain injury
How can RSI be avoided?
Adjusting the chair to the correct sitting position
Making sure that the working position is not too cramped
Using a document holder
Using an ergonomically designed keyboard and mouse
The keyboard must be adjustable so that it can lie at an angle of 10 degrees

7. Repetitive strain injury
How can RSI be avoided?
The keyboard should have concave keys to prevent fingers slipping and reduce impact shock on fingertips, fingers, wrists, and arms
Keeping the wrist straight when using the keyboard
Using a wrist rest
Positioning the mouse so that it is possible to keep the wrist straight

8. Repetitive strain injury
How can RSI be avoided?
Learning to type properly; it has been found that two-finger typists are more likely to suffer from RSI that properly trained typists

9. Eye strain and headaches
What can be done to combat eye strain and headaches?
Keeping the screen clean
Proper and adequate lighting (e.g. fluorescent lighting with diffusers)
Reduction of reflective light (e.g. the use of window blinds to reduce on-screen glare)
Taking regular breaks to avoid stress and to rest the eyes
Having regular eye tests

10. Eye strain and headaches
What can be done to combat eye strain and headaches?
Not sitting too near the screen
Using a flat screen that does not produce screen flicker.
Adjusting the angle, brightness, and contrast of the screen

11. Stress What can cause stress? Too much to do in too little time
Feeling that you are unable to cope with new technology and work-load
Poorly designed software
Losing work due to technical problems and viruses

12. Stress What can be doe to reduce stress?
Proper planning of individual and group work schedules
Regular training and re-training for staff
Using properly designed, user-friendly software
Having a well maintained computer system and up-to-date anti-virus software installed

13. Radiation What can be done to reduce radiation hazards?
Special radiation reduction shields on CRT screens
No sitting too close to the screen

14. Things that must be considered when designing an office
Adequate lighting
No glare
Minimal noise
Good leg room
Blinds
Appropriate software
Placement of screen
Adjusted keyboard
Clear work surface
Adjustable chair
Proper ventilation & temperature

15. Things that must be considered when designing an office
Avoid the use of single pendant lamps as they produce glare on computer screens
Use florescent tubes with diffusers or that produce artificial daylight
Avoid the use of carpets made from artificial fibres as these cause static electricity

16. Things that must be considered when designing an office
Windows should have adjustable blinds so that sunlight will not produce glare on computer screens
Cables should be ducted and not allowed to trail across the floor
Sufficient power sockets with surge resisters should be installed so that only one piece of equipment is plugged in to each socket

17. Health and safety in relation to the use of ICT systems
AS Level ICT
Health and safety in relation to the use of ICT systems