Health and Safety

1
Health and Safety

• Working with computers for long periods of time
  can cause
• Stress
• Eyestrain
• Wrist injuries
• Neck and back problems
• Employers can be sued if they do not take steps
  to protect employees

2
Stress

• Many people are afraid of computers and fear that
  they will be left behind or made redundant if
  they are unable to learn new ICT skills quickly
  enough and keep up with the younger more
  computer-literate generation
• ICT systems make information instantly available
  wherever you are. Mobile phones, pagers, portable
  computers and the Internet make it possible to
  work anywhere. This means that some people find
  it virtually impossible to forget about work and
  relax.
• The amount of information that ICT systems can
  produce is often far too much for anyone to take
  in. This results in information overload, which
  causes workers to become stressed by the feeling
  that they cant cope with the information that
  they are receiving.
• Workers can be monitored using ICT systems the
  feeling of being constantly watched caused by
  this can be very stressful.

3
Repetitive strain injury

• Repeating the same physical movements over and
  over again can cause a condition known as RSI
• Repeated presses on the keyboard and long periods
  of holding and moving a mouse cause a build up of
  damage to the hands arms and shoulders

Eyestrain

• Spending long periods of time in front of a
  computer screen can cause eyestrain
• This can be avoided by
• Ensuring there is enough light
• Reducing the amount of glare
• Ensuring workers wear correct prescription
  glasses if needed

4
Extremely low frequency (ELF) radiation

• Computer monitors are a common source of ELF
• Some evidence suggests that working for long
  periods in front of a computer screen may
  increase the risk of miscarriage during pregnancy

5
Computers, health and the law

• Laws designed to protect people from workplace
  health hazards are administered by the Health and
  Safety Executive.
• Legislation requires employers to
• Inspect workstations to make sure that they meet
  the required standards for health and safety
• Train employees how to use workstations correctly
• Make sure that employees take regular breaks or
  changes in activity
• Provide regular eye tests for workstation users
  and pay for prescription glasses
• Legislation requires employees to
• Use workstations and equipment correctly in
  accordance with the training provided by their
  employer.
• Inform their employer of any problems relating to
  Health and Safety as soon as they arise and
  co-operate with the correction of these problems.

6
Workplace design

• When purchasing new equipment or designing a
  working ICT environment, employers must consider
• Lighting workplace should be well lit
• Furniture Height-adjustable swivel chairs with
  backrests and desks large enough to hold the
  computer and paperwork
• Noise Work space should be quiet
• Hardware Screens must not flicker and should
  swivel and tilt. Keyboards must be separate,
  moveable and fitted with wrist supports
• Software This should make tasks easier
• The working environment work space should be
  well ventilated and maintained at a comfortable
  temperature