The phrase ‘Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Training’ could mean anything...some might even think it is something to do with fixing computers. But don’t be fooled by the words! DSE training is for anyone who regularly uses a computer.
In January 1993 The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 came into effect. These ‘new’ display screen regulations became necessary because of the rise in use of display screen equipment, to protect the health of everyone “who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of his normal work”. The computer health and safety display screen regulations even apply to employees who work from home if they sit at a screen for a good part of their work.
Of course, using a screen should not be considered as really dangerous. In fact there has been a great deal of ICT health and safety studies carried out, for example into how a computer may affect eyesight, and the results show there’s no evidence that it causes disease or permanent damage to eyes. Most safety concerns to do with computers are to do with posture. A relatively high number of DSE workers, particularly those who haven’t carried out DSE training, complain about aches and pains, eyestrain and headaches.
Aches and pains can be in the fingers, hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and backs - these are musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) but are often referred to as repetitive strain injuries (RSI). If nothing is done to help, and staff aren’t given DSE training, these aches and pains may well become serious. RSI injuries can be caused by a poor typing position or not taking regular breaks, and early action is important to avoid them.
Headaches and eyestrain may be exacerbated by screen glare from a poorly positioned computer screen, incorrect contrast on the screen, screen characters which are too small or not in sharp focus or spending too long looking at the screen without a break. Stress and poorly designed software can cause tension headaches.
Statistics from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) show that although work-related MSDs are on the decrease, they still make up an alarming proportion of the work-related illnesses each year. In 2010/2011 nearly 1.2 million working people were suffering from a work-related illness and of these nearly half (508,000) were musculoskeletal disorders. MSDs are not only the result of computer use of course, other factors such as poor manual handling technique also plays a part.
Just a few simple adjustments may be all that’s needed to eliminate health concerns and meet display screen regulations. Good posture can be achieved with a well laid-out and well-positioned workstation, and regular breaks and changing task throughout the day can also avoid work-related MSDs.
For example, a few adjustments to seating and posture may stop that gradual build-up of pain across the shoulders, or in the small of the back. The chair should be stable and adjustable to create the correct height for the desk. The chair back should also tilt and adjust up and down to a position to support the small of the back securely. It’s a bit like getting into the driver’s seat of a car which has been driven by someone else - it needs to be adjusted for each driver before they start driving the car.
Once the chair is comfortable then think about how to sit. It’s important to keep the curves in the back in alignment - that means no slumping, stretching or twisting - and this could mean rearranging the things on the desk and in the immediate vicinity to a more logical position (the things used most should be the easiest to get at).
Perhaps, similar to a motorway ‘take a break’ should flash up at intervals on the computer screen of regular users!
Simple adjustments to the workstation or workday can reduce RSI, pain and tension. DSE training discusses these adjustments in further detail, and helps employers meet display screen equipment regulations. Choosing DSE training which ends with a DSE assessment will give employers proof of what their staff have learnt.
A concise, easy-to-follow, 30-minute DSE training course is available from The Interactive Health and Safety Company (iHasco). Visit their website and sample their Display Screen Equipment training programme, which includes a full personal DSE assessment.
DSE training
No comments:
Post a Comment