A Level IT

1
A Level IT

• Health Safety

Ch 15 p63
2
Computers Health

• Computer - never tires
• User - needs rest, food, social life prone to
  stress, tired limbs mistakes
• Now computer blamed for
• Eyestrain
• Wrist Injuries
• Backache

3
Work related Stress

• Major factor in work related illness - it is
  stressful to
• have too much to do
• too little to do
• new tasks involve stress

4
Stress curve
5
Stress

• Use of system to monitor worker productivity
• E.g. Safeways - Tills
• Fear of IT and own lack of skill
• Work always present
• Mobile phone, pager, laptops
• Information overload
• Speed of change

6
Repetitive Strain Injury RSI Eyestrain

• Collective name for variety of disorders
• Affects neck, shoulders and upper limbs
• Numbness, tingling, aching, stiffness
• 100,000 suffer
• Not new - affects scribes 1717
• Eyestrain
• Computer users prone from spending too long at
  screen
• Also contrast between screen and background light
• Spot on desk

7
ELF Extremely Low Frequency Radiation

• Normally exposed to ELF from
• Sun
• Fire
• Earths Magnetic Field
• Also comes from mains electricity and computer
  monitors
• Research indicates this may be a factor in poor
  health but inconclusive

8
Computers Health and Law

• Occupational health researched, guided and
  structured by Health Safety Executive
• EEC directive on work with display screen
  equipment completed in early 1990s
• HS at work act 1974 now incorporates The HS
  (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992.

9
HS (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

• Employers required to
• Analysis of workstations
• Train employees
• Ensure regular breaks
• Eye testing
• Employees have responsibility to
• Use IT equipment correctly
• Bring problems to attention of employer.

10
HS (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

• Manufacturers must
• ensure products comply with directive
• E.g.
• Screens must tilt and swivel
• Emissions must be below certain levels
• Keyboards should be separate and moveable
• Notebooks not suitable for large data entry

11
The Ergonomic Environment

• The science of the design and functionality of
  the working environment and includes
• Lighting - well lit - no glare or reflection
• Furniture - adjustable
• Work space - all must contribute to workers
  well-being
• Noise - should not be noisy
• Hardware - Screen tilt swivel, Keyboard
  separate
• Software - Should encourage correct ergonomic use

12
Task

• Read Case studies on pages 64, 65, 66 and 67 of
  text book.
• Do questions 1 and 2 from page 48.