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).

Hazards in an ICT workplace

Backache – What can be done to alleviate backache?

• Swivelling chairs.

• Movable base with castors.

• Adjustable back rests that support the lower back area.

• Regular breaks to change posture.

Eye strain and headaches – What can be done to combat eye strain and headaches?

• No screen flicker.

• Angle, brightness, and contrast must be adjustable.

• Reduction of reflective light.

• Proper and adequate lighting.

• Free, regular eye tests for VDU operators.

Repetitive strain injury – How can RSI be avoided?

• Keyboard should be separate from the VDU.

• Keyboard must be adjustable so that they can lie at an angle of 10 degrees

• Keyboard should have concave keys to prevent fingers slipping and reduce impact shock on fingertips, fingers, wrists, and arms.

Radiation –What can be done to reduce radiation hazards?

• Special radiation reduction shields on VDUs.

Things that must be considered when designing an office

·       Avoid the use of single pendant lamps as they produce glare on computer VDUs.

·       Use florescent tubes with diffusers or that produce artificial daylight.

·       Avoid the use of carpets made from artificial fibres as these cause static electricity.

·       Things that must be considered when designing an office

·       Windows should have adjustable blinds so that sunlight will not produce glare on computer VDUs.

·       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.