working with display screen equipment (dse)€¦ · this instruction presentation is for rgu staff...
TRANSCRIPT
This instruction presentation is for RGU staff who uses DSE for an
hour or more each day & depends on DSE to do their job.
This information module should take approximately 15 minutes to
complete.
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992
WORKING WITH
DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT (DSE)
• Computers
• Laptops
• Graphic display devices
PURPOSE
A step by step guide to making
your DSE workstation
comfortable and safe to use
WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS OF
WORKING WITH DSE?
1. Back pain or upper limb disorders
2. Eye strain
3. Fatigue
BUT…..
…..if you set up your
workstation correctly and use
it safely you can help you keep
fit and well.
SETTING UP YOUR DSE WORKSTATION
Each of these components is important in working with DSE
1. Chair
2. Desk
3. Screen
4. Mobile devices
5. Working environment
GET COMFORTABLE
The chair should be in good
condition with plenty of padding
Adjust the height and angle of
the seat and back rest so that
you can reach the keyboard
without stretching and have
your eyes level with the top of
your screen
Sit back on the chair
so that your thighs
are well supported
with a small space
behind your knees
and both feet flat on
the ground
WHY?
Sitting back on the chair with both feet on the
ground will improve your posture and allow
your blood to circulate freely. This reduces
the risk of back pain and other joint or
muscle problems.
Being at the right height for the keyboard
and screen will reduce the risk of neck
pain, headaches and eye strain.
ORGANISING YOUR SPACE
• Needs to be large enough for all equipment, paperwork, etc
• Adjust the height to suit you if this is possible
• Position your mouse so you can reach it without stretching
• Keep the space under your desk clear so that you can move your legs and stretch
• Place the keyboard to allow your wrists to rest lightly on the desk
• Adjust the tilt of the keyboard to keep your wrists straight
*Changing position, stretching your legs,
and not working in a cramped space
promotes circulation, reduces muscle
stiffness, and reduces fatigue.*
SCREEN
• Place the screen approximately arms length from you
• Have your eyes level with top of the screen
• Raise monitor height if necessary
• Tilt screen to keep head balanced, not leaning forward
• Adjust screen position to remove glare or reflections:
avoid having a window directly behind you
• Keep the screen clean
• Report flickering to IT Services
ADJUST THE WORKSTATION TO FIT YOU…...
Correct posture reduces the risk of fatigue, headaches, back
pain and other soft tissue conditions:
• back straight
• upper arms hanging down at your sides
• forearms at right angles and resting on the desk
• wrists straight
• head balanced on your neck and shoulders (not tilted
forward)
Working with your wrists bent up or down
increases risk of injury and pain.
Keeping your hand on the mouse for long periods
can also cause pain: use keyboard controls
occasionally and take regular breaks by doing
other tasks away from your DSE.
….don’t adjust yourself to fit the workstation!
LAPTOPS & MOBILE DEVICES
Portable devices were designed for short periods of use but have become
the main device for many workers.
The reduced keyboard size and fixed screen position can affect your
posture which may increase risk of soft tissue injuries and eye strain.
The almost constant accessibility and connectivity can lead to fatigue.
Follow this advice to reduce risks to your health and
performance:
• Whenever possible use a docking station with full-size
keyboard and screen
• Position screen to sit comfortably
• Change position and activity more frequently than when using
a PC
ENVIRONMENT
• Try to get the lighting level suitable for you; diffusers on overhead lamps, blinds
on windows, no window directly behind you
• Check the temperature: too cold can affect your soft tissues, too hot may cause
fatigue
• Noise from equipment or colleagues can be disruptive leading to fatigue:
move/replace old, noisy equipment; colleagues to speak quietly; reduce number of
staff walking through
• Keep the work area clean, tidy and free from trip hazards
Working in open plan or shared spaces can
make individual preferences difficult to
achieve: be tolerant of others, talk about
concerns, and compromise where possible
SIMPLE STEPS TO PREVENT EYE STRAIN
Our eyes have a muscle (the iris) which moves constantly to focus on objects
near and far. If we stay focused on a fixed object (like our screen) these
muscles get tired and some users experience eye strain: sore, itchy eyes;
blurred vision; difficulty focusing.
DSE does not cause vision problems
but the way we use it can highlight
existing weaknesses.
Exercise your eyes by looking across the office or out the window every few
minutes.
This simple refocusing exercise will help prevent eye strain
EYE & VISION TESTS
Most people who need glasses for DSE also need them
for reading so regular eye tests are important.
If spectacles are needed solely for DSE work your
employer will pay for a basic pair of lenses and frames.
Measure the distance from your forehead to your
screen before getting your eyes tested by an optician.
Follow this link for the RGU eye test form.
Speak to your Health & Safety Co-ordinator for further
information.
Simple steps to prevent back pain, upper limb
disorders, etc.
Human bodies have evolved to move almost constantly and many modern health
problems are directly related to static posture and sedentary lifestyles.
Regular activity is good for your physical health:
• It gets blood and oxygen to your brain to help concentration and performance
• It helps prevent back pain, headaches, sore shoulders, painful wrists, and so on
There is no maximum time you are permitted to use DSE but the longer you work
without a change of activity or position the more likely you are to develop health
problems.
Simple steps to prevent back pain, upper limb
disorders, etc.
Every 5 – 10 minutes:
• stand up
• stretch
• gently move all your
joints
• then sit down and carry
on working
Every hour leave your workstation:
• do a different task
• walk around the office, corridors,
external areas etc.
STEPS TO REDUCE FATIGUE
Get comfortable at your workstation
by setting it up to suit you
Take frequent, regular breaks from DSE use : go for a
walk, do some stretches by your desk, or just do a
different work activity
Ask for help getting the
best from your software
or IT system
When travelling restrict the
time you spend on mobile
devices
Discuss workload with
your supervisor if
necessary
ACCESSORIES
Most issues can be resolved using the advice in this presentation. If you still experience problems or discomfort you should
speak to your manager, Health & Safety Co-ordinator or Occupational Health & Environmental Safety Department.
• Footrest: allows your feet to be supported if the desk cannot be adjusted
• Wrist rest: takes some of the pressure off your wrists
• Document holder : allows you to work between documents and screen without repeated,
small head movements
• Ergonomic mouse: turns your wrist into a more neutral position
• Lumbar roll: provides pressure and comfort to the small of the back
• Docking station and separate keyboard: try to use a full-size keyboard when using a
laptop in an office
• Wheeled carry case for portable equipment : useful alternative to carrying loads on your
back
DSE CHECKLIST
• When you have read and understood this instruction presentation and adjusted
your DSE workstation to suit your needs please complete the RGU DSE user
checklist:
• Discuss any remaining issues with your Health & Safety Co-ordinator or
manager and add comments to the checklist
• A new checklist must be completed if your DSE workstation or job (location,
environment, role, etc) significantly changes
FURTHER ADVICE
The following information is available from Posturite on the RGU
Health and Safety website:
• Workstation exercises
• Effective back care
• DSE helpful hints
• Using iPads and tablets
• Lab environments
• Laptop helpful hints