Computers

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The Risks that Computer Users Face

The most significant risks associated with use of computers are general stress and fatigue to the eyes (which is believed to be temporary) and various musculo-skeletal disorders.

Visual problems

Visual problems can arise from the size of the characters on the screen and from the distance to the user. For instance, particularly for wearers of bifocals, this distance may neither match their prescription for reading, nor for distance vision. Fortunately, most modern computer packages allow you to increase the character size on screen so that it can be seen without squinting, and the screen sizes have got a lot larger as well! However, some people may need spectacles specifically for work at DSE.

Radiation

Those concerned about exposure to radiation, such as that from Wifi, will find useful information on the Health Protection Agency website here: http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/Radiation/UnderstandingRadiation/
UnderstandingRadiationTopics/ElectromagneticFields/WiFi/

In the early days of computing concerns were expressed over the radiation from computers, but extensive research showed there to be no risk from that source. Now, flat screen technology is rapidly replacing the cathode ray tube display units in any event.

Musculo-skeletal problems

Various aches and pains in the neck, back and shoulders may arise if a poor posture is maintained in the long term. It should be stressed that musculo-skeletal problems are preventable, can usually be detected in their early stages but, if ignored, they can lead to permanent damage.

Repetitive movements can cause more serious damage. Carpal tunnel syndrome can arise from a rubbing of the tendons against the walls of the carpal tunnels in the wrist. Symptoms may start as tingling and numbness, which are sometimes experienced several hours after work has stopped (e.g. at night). If these symptoms are ignored the condition can progress to the point where surgical intervention may be required.

How to Set up the Work Station

General posture

You should be able to get your legs under the table or work surface - so clear any boxes or other items that get in the way.

You need to arrange that the following angles are 90 degrees:

  • between your back and thighs
  • between your upper arm and forearm

Your legs should not dangle, so if necessary get a foot rest.

computer1

You should ensure that you keep your spine erect - habitually leaning can cause shoulder, back and neck problems. To reduce eye strain, keep the screen clean. If there is glare reposition your screen to eliminate it. If you cannot figure out where the glare is coming from, a good trick is to put a mirror against the screen. You will then see the source.

Keep your elbows close to your body and do not lean out to use the mouse.

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When you use a mouse, use the whole forearm and hand to move it about - don't bend the wrist from side to side. Ensure that the wrist is not bent in the upward direction - use a rest to raise the level of the arm if necessary. Ensure that whatever mechanism the mouse has, it is kept in good working order.

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Good Working Practices

You should not work continuously at the keyboard for long periods of time. Very short breaks, even of a minute, at frequent intervals allow your body to recover from the rather repetitive movements.

There is a short document listing the key points in setting up your workstation and essential good working practices here: DSE advice

There is also a self assessment checklist, to help you to identify anything you have not covered.

Entitlement to Eye Tests

"Users" are entitled to eye tests. The term 'User' is given a legal definition in the Regulations; it is an employee who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of his or her normal work.

Typical University examples of users might be: secretarial staff, computing staff, data entry staff in research units, certain administrators, those involved with accounts and data storage, and other scientific, administrative and support staff whose work is computer based. Where use is less frequent other factors connected with the job must be assessed. While there are no hard and fast rules, the Health and Safety Executive suggests that if most or all of the following factors apply to an individual then the person concerned should be classified as a user:

  • The individual depends on the use of display screen equipment to do the job as alternative means are not readily available for achieving the same result.
  • The individual has no discretion as to the use or non-use of the display screen equipment.
  • The individual needs particular skills in the use of display screen equipment to do the job.
  • The individual normally uses display screen equipment for prolonged spells of more than one hour.
  • The individual uses display screen equipment more or less daily.
  • Fast transfer of information between the user and the screen is an important requirement of the job.
  • The performance requirements of the systems demand high levels of attention and concentration by the user, for example, where the consequences of error may be critical.

Scientific, research support and administrative staff who use display screen equipment for relatively short periods each day and have a great deal of discretion over when to do that work would probably not be classified as users.

All requests for eye tests must go through the approved route: initially to the Department Secretary, then to Occupational Health.

Troubleshooting

If things go wrong, and you experience symptoms, have a look at the 'troubleshooting guide' in the first instance. If trying one of these tips does not work, then consult a computer officer. There may be some hardware or software that can solve your problem. If none of these helps, then your next port of call is Occupational Health.

This page was last updated on 16th December 2010

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