DSE / VDU Awareness
Department of Occupational Health
and Safety
Health Risks
• Upper limb disorders (RSI)
pains and disorders
• back ache
• fatique and stress
• temporary eye strain
sore eyes and headaches
• causes can be a combination of factors
• Hence the need to assess
2
Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment)
Regulations 1992 – the legal bit!
• Risk assessment
– Interaction between user, environment and
the equipment
environment
user
equipment
3
Equipment – Key Requirements
• Display Screens
– clear and stable images
– brightness, tilt, swivel and height adjustment
– glare and reflection free
• Keyboards
– tiltable
– matt surface
– Wrist rest if required
4
Equipment
Key Requirements
• Work Desks
– low reflective surface
– document holder if necessary
– adequate space
• Work Chairs
– stable - 5 castors
– comfortable - adjustable in seat, height and tilt
– Footrest if required
5
Environment – Key Requirements
•
Space
– sufficient for varying positions and good posture
•
Lighting
– appropriate - diffused and should not cause reflections
– reflections and glare should be minimised
– Windows should have suitable blinds
•
Noise
– low enough to minimise distraction
•
Heating
– should not cause discomfort
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DSE Essentials
What are the essential requirements for your personal health and safety?
(look at 1 – 11 below – answers on the next page)
1
2
5
3
7
8
6
9
10
4
11
7
DSE Essentials - Answers
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Adequate lighting - diffused
Adequate contrast, minimal glare or distracting reflections
Distracting noise minimised
Sufficient legroom and clearances to allow posture changes
Window covering – suitable blinds if necessary
Software appropriate to task and user friendly
Screen – clear and stable image, adjustable, readable, reflection
and glare free
8 Keyboard – usable, adjustable, detachable
9 Work surface – spacious, low reflection (document holder if
necessary)
10 Adjustable work chair – 5 star castor and comfortable
11 Footrest – if required
8
Adjustments to suit the user
Guidance
Remember to take a break or change task!
•
Adjust chair and VDU to find most comfortable position
•
Forearms should be approximately horizontal
•
Elbows at 900 and eyes level with top of the screen
•
sufficient space underneath desk to move
•
•
•
Avoid excess pressure on the back of legs and knees
- use footrest
Don’t sit in the same position for long periods
•
have space in front of the keyboard to rest the wrists
•
keep wrists straight and don’t overstretch fingers
•
arrange desk and screen to reduce reflected glare
•
have sufficient space for documents etc
•
make sure the screen is clean!
9
DSE Essentials
•
Balanced head position
(chin up!)
window at approx 900
‘’’’’’’’’’’
•
Shoulders relaxed
•
Forearms horizontal
horizontal eye level
Screen / work surface
glare and reflection free
Adjustable screen
•
Adequate lower
back support
•
•
Adjustable back rest
(height and angle)
•
Adjustable chair height
•
keyboard detached and
flat - balanced wrist
position
Feet flat on the floor
5 star stable base
- footrest if necessary
10
DSE Essentials
Any questions?
Further information can be obtained from the
Department of Occupational Health & Safety
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