ICT SAFETY IN SCHOOLS
NUT HEALTH & SAFETY GUIDANCE FOR
MEMBERS
Introduction
Information and communications technology (ICT) is at the heart of the education system.
Pupils and teachers alike use such equipment regularly at school and at home. This briefing
gives NUT guidance on health and safety precautions for those working with ICT equipment
inculding computers, laptops, tablets, printers and data projectors. Note that this guidance is
concerned with computer safety and not ‘e-safety’, an NUT briefing on which can be found at
www.teachers.org.uk.
What the Law Says
The law makes employers responsible for ensuring the health and safety of those affected by
their undertaking. In schools this means that teachers, non-teaching staff and pupils are all
entitled to see that proper precautions are taken to ensure their safety. The law also assists
school employees by giving their trade union safety representatives rights to information and
consultation.
General legal obligations on health and safety are set out in the Health and Safety at Work etc
Act 1974. Specific legal standards for computer safety are set out in the Health and Safety
(Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, known as the “DSE Regulations”. These
standards apply automatically only to those employees who fall within the Regulations’ legal
definition of "users" (i.e. those who habitually use screens as a significant part of their normal
work). The NUT’s position, however, has always been that education employers should follow
the standards set out in the DSE Regulations at all times. There should be no arguments about
who is specifically covered by the Regulations and who may not be. All teachers, non-teaching
staff and pupils should be entitled to the level of protection afforded by the Regulations.
Teachers’ Duties and Responsibilities
Teachers’ legal responsibilities mean that where they are supervising lessons using ICT
equipment, they must follow safety guidelines for correct use of equipment and also take all
reasonable steps to ensure that they are followed by pupils.
Teachers who follow this principle cannot be held responsible for injuries from misuse of ICT
equipment. Where there is failure properly to discharge the duty of care, the teacher’s
employer or its insurers would be responsible for paying compensation under the principle of
“vicarious liability”.
Where schools allow teachers to make use of school laptop computers at home, the NUT
regards it to be the school’s responsibility to ensure that this equipment is appropriately
insured. Teachers should not be expected to bear the cost of insurance or of loss or damage
to laptops used at home.
Standards for safe use of computers
The following sections set out what employers must do to ensure that ICT equipment can be
used safely by their employees and others such as pupils.
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The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has issued clear guidance that safety representatives
should be consulted throughout the risk assessment process, and that any information they
provide should be taken into account in deciding upon safety precautions needed.
Risk assessments
“Risk assessments” must be carried out for every computer user (whether they are “users”
under the DSE Regulations or not) to ensure that they are able to work safely.
The risk assessments usually concentrate on the computer workstation to be used. Often
these risk assessments are “generic” assessments which means that one assessment is carried
out for all similar workstations to be used. In schools, however, separate assessments should
be carried out for adult users and for pupils, since pupils are on average physically smaller
than adult users.
Where any user has particular physical characteristics which differ from the usual user, they
should also have a specific assessment carried out with reference to themselves before they
use the equipment. This would, in particular, apply where any user (adult of pupil) was
disabled, e.g. a wheelchair user, but could also apply where the user is, for example, much
physically smaller than other users.
Minimum requirements for workstations
“Workstation” includes furniture used in connection with ICT equipment as well as the
equipment itself and therefore covers the keyboard, mouse, printer, document holder, work
chair, work desk and so on. It also includes aspects of the immediate work environment such
as noise, light, temperature, humidity and space.
Workstation design and layout should be planned before any equipment is purchased. Schools
will need to consider issues such as the suitability of mobile or static workstations in term of
both access and safety. Workstation design should enable users to reach all necessary
equipment without stretching and should be clear of obstruction.
Set out below is advice on the features of workstations which require particular attention in
schools.
Keyboard
A comfortable keying position must be achieved for all users who must not be either hunched
over the keyboard or having to stretch out to reach it. The keyboard should be tilted with a
matt surface to avoid reflective glare. It should be easy to use, adequately contrasted and
have legible symbols on the keys.
Mouse
Most devices are best placed right beside the keyboard. Users should be encouraged to relax
their arm and keep their wrist straight. Smaller pupils should not have to stretch their arm
across the desk to reach the mouse. Very young pupils may need a mouse designed to fit a
child’s hand. Left-handed users are likely to find a left-handed mouse more comfortable to
use so these should be made available on request.
Chair
The chair should be stable, allowing easy freedom of movement and comfortable position.
There should be an adjustable height seat and the seat back should have a height and tilt
adjustment. The chair should have a swivel mechanism and castors or gliders. Teachers and
pupils should be made aware of how to carry out the adjustments necessary. Feet should rest
flat on the floor. If they don’t, a foot rest will be needed. Chairs with arms can cause problems
since they can prevent the user getting close enough to the equipment comfortably.
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Display Screens
Users need to be able to swivel and tilt the screen into a comfortable position. Whatever
position is chosen by the user, the screen needs to be free from glare and reflections. This can
be achieved by moving the screen, or even the desk and/or shielding the screen from the
source of reflection through use of blinds.
Document Holders
The document holder should be positioned to minimise neck movement for users.
Desk
It is desirable to use desks which are adjustable in height, preferably with a separate keyboard
area which is also height-adjustable. This will enable each operator to achieve an optimal
combination of screen and keyboard. If there is no alternative to a fixed height desk, the
adjustability of the other workstation elements, particularly the chair, is of even greater
importance.
Lighting
Levels of lighting should be appropriate for all the tasks performed at the workstation; there
should be contrast between screen and background and prevention of glare through
positioning of articificial lighting.
Reflection and Glare
Pupils and staff should be able to see displays adequately. If there is too much reflected light
on monitor screens, blinds may be necessary. Semi-translucent blinds stop glare from the sun
but let in some light. Vertical shades are best for reducing low-angle sunshine, particularly in
east and west-facing rooms and they can be easier than horizontal blinds for gaining access to
open and shut windows.
Temperature, Ventilation and Humidity
Ideally the temperature of an ICT suite should be 18-24 degrees centigrade, whilst ventilation
and humidity should be maintained at levels which prevent discomfort and sore eyes.
Equipment belonging to any workstation should not produce excess heat which could cause
discomfort to operators or users.
Flooring
Flooring or carpet should be non-slip and anti-static. Ease of cleaning and noise reduction are
other important factors to consider.
Space requirements
Sufficient clearance for postural changes, i.e. thighs, knees, lower legs and feet and should
allow a comfortable position for the arms and wrist. Stray leads and flexes should be rerouted, secured and covered.
Noise
Problems with noise can be minimised if there is a facility whereby teachers can switch off
computers centrally.
Cabling
All cabling should be inaccessible to children and boxed off.
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Fire Exits
Fire exits must be kept clear at all times. They must not be blocked by computer equipment
or pupils’ bags.
Software systems
Software must be suitable for the task, easy to use and adaptable to the level of the user’s
knowledge. Training should be provided for teachers and pupils when new software is
introduced.
Pupils with special educational needs (SEN)
It is also important to ensure that computer workstations are designed to meet the needs of
all pupils, including those with special educational needs. Advice from an experienced SENCO
or local authority adviser should be sought when installing any computer equipment.
Siting of Equipment
Equipment should be situated where it will not cause a hazard with trailing cables and away
from water supplies.
When using laptops, they need to be located on firm desks or tables. Procedures should be
established to ensure that when laptops are moved, they are moved safely.
Laptop computer charging trolleys
Some general classrooms make use of laptop charging trolleys as a means of providing more
mobile ICT facilities. A 2009 HSE investigation into an electric shock incident involving a
laptop charging trolley found that when a 3-pin plug supplying the trolley was removed from
the supply socket there was sufficient stored electric charge on the pins of the plug to give the
user an electric shock. In addition some trolleys were identified which had two supply cables
contrary to good electrical engineering practice, inadequate plug and cable storage facilities
and unsuitable earth terminations.
HSE guidance on assessing and controlling risks which may be posed by such equipment can
be found at http://www.hse.gov.uk/services/education/safety121009.htm.
Disabled users
It is important to ensure that workstations are designed to meet the needs of all pupils and
staff, including those with disabilities. Local authority advisory staff, physiotherapists and
specialist teachers may be able to provide advice during the planning and designing stage.
Wheelchair uses may have special requirements for chairs and work surfaces (for example
with regard to height).
In practice some wheelchair users may need a purpose-built
workstation but others may prefer to use existing work surfaces. The HSE’s guidance states
that the needs of individual employees should have priority over minimum compliance with the
standards set out in the Regulations. The Equality Act 2010 also applies, requiring reasonable
adjustments to cater for the needs of disabled employees.
Training and information
The health and safety risks of excessive ICT work, particularly keyboard use, are well known.
Given that teachers and pupils may also spend long periods on computers at home, schools
should make sure that pupils and staff are familiar with health and safety requirements
affecting computer usage.
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The NUT advises that, in schools, clear health and safety guidance both for pupils and teachers
should be drawn up and preferably circulated as well as displayed. It should include advice
on:
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the risks of RSI from excessive keyboard use;
the length of time to be spent at a computer screen and the need for regular breaks;
the importance of proper posture and seating relative to the keyboard and screen; and
safety precautions when using the equipment, including adjusting the workstation and
furniture, switching machines on and off, not eating or drinking at workstations, and
not interfering with power connection or moving computer equipment without seeking
assistance.
Health and Safety Hazards
The following sections give NUT advice on a variety of health and safety issues ranging from
physical hazards such as eye strain, headaches and repetitive strain injury (RSI) to safety
considerations when using particular kinds of equipment such as laptop computers and
wireless area networks.
Eyestrain
Eyestrain is the most common health problem reported by workers using display screens. As
well as making sure that display screen equipment meets the standards described above,
“users” have a legal right to eye tests on request, paid for by the employer, when they
commence screen work, at regular intervals thereafter, and if they experience visual
difficulties. If the test shows that the worker needs corrective spectacles, then the employer
should meet reasonable costs. The NUT believes that any teaching or non-teaching employee
who is required to work with a display screen, whether a “user” or a more occasional operator,
should be entitled to a regular eye test paid for by the employer.
Pregnancy and Display Screen Work
Past safety concerns about computer use for pregnant women have been overtaken by more
recent research indicating that there is no association between computer use and
miscarriage/birth defects. Although it is impossible to prove that using a computer is 100%
safe in pregnancy, there is a wealth of research which has failed to find evidence of harm.
Pregnant women should, however, pay particular heed to their general health and comfort
when working on computers. This involves taking regular breaks of 10 minutes every hour
(more frequently if necessary) and ensuring good posture (which may require adaptation of
workplace equipment). Contact lens wearers sometimes find that they need to wear glasses
for on-screen work as water retention in pregnancy can affect the shape of the eye ball. If
this is a problem, an optician should be consulted.
Those who are anxious about VDU work – or indeed any aspect of work - during pregnancy
should talk to their doctor.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
One of the major problems arising from ICT work is RSI, which describes a range of conditions
characterised by pain, numbness or discomfort in the muscles, tendons, nerves and joints of
the hand, wrist, forearm, elbow and upper arm, and sometimes the shoulders and neck.
The HSE’s guidance to the Display Safety Equipment Regulations (see Further Information)
includes a range of advice which seeks to minimise the risk of RSI. This includes guidance on
the layout of workstations (furniture and equipment) and on work processes. The HSE advises
taking breaks from keyboard work of between five and ten minutes every 50-60 minutes,
while the RSI Association recommends a break of five minutes in each half hour. The HSE
also emphasises the importance of being relaxed, since RSI can be caused by tension and
working under stress which tenses the muscles and restricts circulation.
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Other steps to prevent RSI can include providing adjustable keyboards and wrist rests and
ensuring users know how to use them properly, and providing copy/document holders and
adequate space around the workstation as well.
RSI due to Mouse Use
Using a mouse may give rise to greater risks than using a keyboard because use of a mouse
concentrates activity on one hand and on one or two fingers, which makes aches and pain in
the fingers, hands, wrists, arms or shoulders more likely.
Electromagnetic Emissions
Concerns have been expressed from some quarters about health risks arising from
electromagnetic emissions from computer equipment. The levels of electromagnetic radiation
emitted from VDUs, however, are well below the safe levels set out in international
recommendations. So it is not necessary to “spot check" electromagnetic radiation emission
levels from computers, and special devices such as spectacles, screens or aprons are likewise
redundant.
Epilepsy
Display screen use cannot cause epilepsy and is unlikely to cause problems to those with most
forms of epilepsy. Photosensitive epilepsy, however, is a rare form of epilepsy in which the
risk of experiencing an attack through display screen work is increased. It is unlikely that this
form of epilepsy would become apparent for the first time through working with display
screens but, as a precaution, enquiries should be made of parents where children are known
to have epilepsy or are in an epilepsy risk category.
Skin Rashes
Skin rashes are sometimes reported amongst display screen workers.
In many cases
environmental factors contribute to this problem but static-electric fields building up around
screens, low level X-ray emissions and ultraviolet radiation given off by screens may be linked
to skin rashes. Again, further research is needed into this association.
Stress
Stress has been identified as a problem amongst ICT workers. Again, factors contributing to
this have included hot and noisy environments, poor workplace design, machine failures and
social isolation. The best means of combating stress is by observing the need for regular
breaks from continuous screen work.
Risks due to use of Laptop/Notebook Computers
Many schools offer laptop computers to pupils and staff for use within and outside school.
Their portability is their main advantage. Some children, or even staff, may, however, still
find them too heavy. Staff and pupils should also recognise that carrying a laptop/notebook
computer in a designated bag may constitute a security risk. Using an ordinary bag may help
to disguise what it being carried and so deter thieves.
Laptop/notebook computers have to be compact enough to be easy to carry, resulting in
design compromises like smaller keyboards and screens. Laptop work is therefore less
comfortable than work at standard sized equipment during prolonged use.
Careful
consideration needs to be given to where and how laptops are used in schools. It is worth
noting that it is possible to purchase regular-sized keyboards to attach to these computers.
Teachers who spend a lot of time at home working on their own laptop computer may wish to
consider this.
Specific training and information should be given for laptop users on minimising risks,
including sitting comfortably, angling the screen to minimise reflections and, wherever
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possible, placing the laptop on a firm surface at the right height for keying.
The HSE has suggested that the following ergonomic factors be taken into account when
choosing portable computers:
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choose a lighter weight model of 3kg or less, with a large and clear screen (14
inch diagonal or more;
select one with the longest battery life possible;
choose a lightweight carry case with handle and shoulder straps.
See also the note on laptop computer charging trolleys above.
‘BlackBerries’, ‘iPhones’ etc
The recent surge in the use of portable handheld communications devices such as
‘BlackBerries’ and ‘iPhones’ has led to questions as to their safety. The main hazards inherent
in such equipment are:
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repetitive strain injury (RSI). The small size of the keyboards on such devices can lead
to RSI problems such as ‘Blackberry thumb’ (see below);
musculo-skeletal disorders arising from the posture adopted when using such mobile
devices;
eye strain and visual fatigue caused by squinting to view the small screen; and
stress - arising from the fact that the device is always on, so the user feels that he or
she is always at work.
Other hazards stem from the locations in which such portable devices are used. Back pain and
general musculo-skeletal disorders can arise from their use in unsuitable places such as trains
and cafes. Fears of theft of the equipment lead to stress and anxiety about personal safety,
whilst for those who literally use such technology ‘on the move’ there is the very real risk of
injuries arising as a result of slips, trips and falls.’
Small communications devices are of course subject to the Display Screen Equipment
Regulations 1992, if they are in use for prolonged periods as part of someone’s work. The
HSE is aware of anecdotal reports of wrist and thumb pain arising from the heavy use of
thumbs in typing words onto such handheld devices, and advises that any such risks should be
managed in the normal way, i.e. the employer should carry out a risk assessment as they
would for a laptop computer. The HSE also recommends that users of such devices should
avoid heavy useage of the equipment in poor working environments, such as where the
conditions are cramped or there is inadequate lighting.
When away from traditional DSE equipment and using mobile equipment such as BlackBerries,
users are advised to take more frequent breaks to compensate for the ergonomic
disadvantages inherent in the technology. Meanwhile, on return to the office or staff work
room, where full-sized DSE equipment is available, there is no need to continue to use such
devices.
Many teachers now make use of tablet computers such as ‘iPads’. These devices offer
convenience and flexibility but can pose their own health and safety problems. For example,
there is a tendency when using a tablet device to adopt an awkward posture which can lead to
discomfort with prolonged use. Researchers from Harvard University have found that tablet
users keep their heads in more flexed positions when using tablets than positions used by
typical computer users. Working for long periods with the head slumped forward and the neck
flexed can cause pain. It is recommended that users change posture every 15 minutes and
use a case that doubles as a tablet stand.
The HSE states that people who habitually use portable DSE equipment should be trained in
how to minimise risks, for example by sitting comfortably, angling the screen so it is easy to
read and taking frequent breaks. Wherever possible, portable DSE devices should be placed on
a firm surface at a comfortable height. Where portable equipment such as tablets are in
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prolonged use at the user’s main place of work, additional steps can be taken to reduce risks,
e.g. by using a docking station.
Electrical Hazards
The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require all electrical systems and equipment to be
constructed and maintained in a safe condition. When planning a new computer installation, it
is common for schools to discover they need some rewiring, especially as, until recently, few
classrooms were built with adequate consideration of future requirements.
Power cables must be carried in trunking that separates them from voice and data cables.
Any cabling within ‘hand’s reach’ should be secured within trunking. Sufficient space in main
trunking routes should be designed to accommodate future needs. Power cables should be
secured and covered and should not trail. All electrical work should be undertaken by suitably
qualified staff.
Other issues to look out for are stray leads, trailing flexes, frayed leads, damaged plugs and
coiled cables. See the NUT health and safety briefing, ‘Electrical Safety in Schools’ at
www.teachers.org.uk for full guidance on safety precautions.
Asbestos
The installation of ICT cabling and other associated building work may disturb asbestos which
may be present in ceiling tiles, insulation board and other materials. Removal of asbestoscontaining materials must be carried out by licensed contractors. For further information, see
the NUT’s ‘Asbestos in Schools’ briefing at www.teachers.org.uk.
Wireless Local Area Networks
Many schools now use wireless networks in an attempt to increase access to ICT.
particularly beneficial for schools with no space for a computer suite.
It is
Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks allow two or more computers to join together using radio
frequency (RF) transmissions. People using Wi-Fi, or in proximity to Wi-Fi equipment, are
exposed to the radio waves emitted from it and some of the transmitted energy penetrates
into the body and is absorbed in the tissues. Exposure to the signals depends on how the
transmitting antennas are located with respect to the body, and the duration and power level
of any transmissions.
In 2007, the Health Protection Agency (HPA) began a research project to discover just how
much of the energy transmitted from Wi-Fi equipment people do absorb. One particular
concern the research team set out to investigate was the effect of Wi-Fi networks on children.
In order to do this, scientists set up 15 laptop computers commonly used in UK schools in a
laboratory and measured the strength of the radio waves around them.
They found that even when the laptops were left transmitting continuously the RF emissions
were well within the agreed Europe-wide limit. Researchers say the exposure would be lower
still with the intermittent transmissions that occur in normal use and that emissions from Wi-Fi
are likely to be lower than those from mobile phones and broadly the same as from other RF
applications such as FM radios and TVs.
Based on these findings and previous research, the HPA concluded in 2009 that:
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the level of exposure to radio waves as a result of working on laptops using Wi-Fi falls
well within international safety guidelines;
there is no consistent evidence to date that exposure to radio waves from Wi-Fi or
other wireless networks adversely affects the health of the general population; and
there is, therefore, no reason why schools and others should not use Wi-Fi equipment.
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Research is continuing, however, to investigate how the energy transmitted is affected by the
software and the work being done on the computers.
The US Federal Communications Commission advises users to remain at least two inches from
a wireless LAN PC card and eight inches from a base station. These distances should be
greater if some form of external antenna is used.
In May 2011 the Council of Europe’s Committee on the Environment, Agriculture and Local and
Regional Affairs published a report entitled ‘The Potential Dangers of Electromagnetic Fields
and their Effect on the Environment’. This report contradicted the HPA’s 2009 conclusions and
recommended that mobile phones and wireless networks should be banned from all schools.
A 2012 report, however, by the Health Protection Agency’s independent Advisory Group on
Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR) concluded that there was still no convincing evidence that
mobile phone or Wi-Fi technologies caused adverse effects on the health of adults or children.
The report considered the scientific evidence on exposure to radiofrequency (RF)
electromagnetic fields, which are produced by mobile phone technologies and other wireless
devices, such as Wi-Fi, as well as television and radio transmitters. The report found that
although a substantial amount of research had been conducted, there was no convincing
evidence that RF field exposure below internationally agreed guideline levels (which are
applied in the UK) caused health effects in adults or children.
The NUT recognises that the advice of the experts is conflicting. Whilst appreciating genuine
concerns, however, removal of wireless networks would be hugely disruptive for schools, we
therefore await further recommendations from the HSE and/or Department of Health before
recommending that schools discontinue using Wi-Fi technology. It is worth noting also that, in
addition to the wireless networks in hotels, cafés, libraries and other public areas, many
homes use wireless networks not just for computers, but in cordless telephones, burglar
alarms and baby monitors. If there is a need to protect children, while they spend a lot of
time at school, they spend more time at home.
Where there is universal agreement, however, is on the need to restrict mobile phone use by
children. The Department of Health and the Health Protection Agency support this view1 and
the NUT agrees that it is sensible to restrict mobile phone use to essential situations,
particularly for young children.
Implementing a ban on mobile phones in schools would,
however, be hugely difficult. Such a policy would be time-consuming and disruptive to enforce
since it would involve searching pupils’ bags.
It is, of course, important to have wireless networks installed by specialists in accordance with
the industry standards for network cabling.
Data Projectors
Use of data projectors has been commonplace in schools for some time. Certain precautions
should be taken to avoid discomfort and possible damage to the eye. Training in the safe use
of the equipment is essential.
The HSE advises that the projector beam can damage peripheral vision. Victims usually do
not realise they have been affected until it is too late. There is a possibility that a viewer’s
peripheral retina could be overexposed even when he or she is not actually staring at the
projector’s apparent source. A person would not look away because there would be no
realisation that damage was being done and no ‘protective aversion response’. HSE considers
the following advice to be good practice in respect of the use of these projectors by
employers, particularly in the education sector.
Work procedures should be established to ensure that:

1
Staring directly into the projector beam is avoided at all times.
The HPA states that ‘excessive use of mobile phones by children should be discouraged’.
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Standing in the beam, whilst facing the projector, is minimised. Users, especially pupils
and students, should try to keep their backs to the beam as much as possible. In this
regard, the use of a stick or laser pointer to avoid the need for the user to enter the
projector beam is recommended.
Pupils and students are adequately supervised when they are asked to point out
something on the screen.
When purchasing or using projectors where there is likely to be a person in front of the beam,
consideration should be given to the use of a method of brightness, such as a neutral density
filter or brightness adjustment facility.
Projectors should, wherever possible, be placed out of the reach of the pupils. A ceiling
mounted projector is the ideal solution as this avoids trailing wires and reduces the possibility
of projector beam dazzle. Projectors should be professionally fitted and adjusted, so that the
‘keystone correction’ provides a correct ‘rectangular’ image onto the screen. The cabling
should be professionally incorporated into any trunking. If there is a requirement for the
equipment to be mobile around the school, it is important to ensure that the unit is anchored
firmly when in use, and that trailing power cables are covered and secured.
In a bright room, rather than increasing the brightness of the projector, blinds should be used.
It is generally viewed that a maximum of 1500 ANSI lumens is adequate for projection
equipment in most classroom environments, except in the most extreme ambient lighting
conditions, where it is advised that window blinds are used rather than increasing the
brightness of the projector. Using a more powerful projector could lead to discomfort and
possible damage to the eye.
It is very important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Warning notices should be
displayed prominently on the equipment and pupils and teachers should be discouraged from
staring at the beam. Risk assessment should inform good practice within every school.
Training in the use of the equipment should include all health and safety issues.
‘Ultra-short throw’ devices
Up to date advice from the HSE states that:
‘Recent technological developments in projector and interactive whiteboard design have
allowed inherently safer "ultra-short throw" devices to be brought to market. These employ
sophisticated optics to enable the projector to be mounted above the display screen and so
close to it that it becomes impossible for a user to directly expose their eyes to the beam.
Employers who use these designs therefore do not need to follow the foregoing work
procedure guidance because residual eye exposure risks are wholly removed by this type of
equipment's design and construction. Given that safe work procedures may sometimes be
disregarded by users, HSE considers that the improved inherent safety of "ultra-short throw"
devices is sufficient reason for employers and organisations to actively consider them as an
option when they purchase new or replacement equipment’.
It is also advisable to position whiteboards at a comfortable height for use by pupils. There will
often need to be a compromise between pupils being able to see the screen from across the
classroom and being able to interact with the screen. If the screen needs to be fitted at adult
height, then it might be necessary to provide a small, secure platform that younger pupils can
use in order to reach the screen.
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Further Information
Health and Safety Executive (HSE):
“Work With Display Screen Equipment: Guidance on the DSE Regulations” (L26) available from
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/l26.pdf.
“VDUs: An Easy Guide to the Regulations”
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg90.pdf
(HSG90)
can
be
downloaded
from
“Working with VDUs” is available at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf.
BECTA (British Educational Communications and Technology Agency)
BECTA was the government agency leading the national drive to ensure the effective and
innovative use of technology throughout learning. BECTA provided a range of advice and
guidance on ICT issues – including health and safety issues – in schools. Regrettably, BECTA
closed in March 2011. Its website was archived on the National Archives site, and its health
and safety pages can be found at:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20110130111510/http://schools.becta.org.uk/inde
x.php?section=lv&catcode=ss_lv_saf_hs_03
NUT Health and Safety Briefings:
‘Data Projectors – Save Your Sight’
‘E-Safety: NUT Guidance for Members’
‘E-Safety: NUT Guidance and Model Policy’
‘Health and Safety When Using Computers at Home’.
All the above briefings are available at www.teachers.org.uk.