DSE / VDU Awareness

1. DSE / VDU Awareness Department of Occupational Health and Safety

2. 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

3. Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 – the legal bit! • Risk assessment • Interaction between user, environment and the equipment user equipment environment

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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 6 7 9 8 10 11 4

8. DSE Essentials - Answers 1 Adequate lighting - diffused 2 Adequate contrast, minimal glare or distracting reflections 3 Distracting noise minimised 4 Sufficient legroom and clearances to allow posture changes 5 Window covering – suitable blinds if necessary 6 Software appropriate to task and user friendly 7 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

9. 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!

10. DSE Essentials • Balanced head position (chin up!) window at approx 900 horizontal eye level • Shoulders relaxed Screen / work surface glare and reflection free • Forearms horizontal Adjustable screen • Adequate lower keyboard detached and back support flat - balanced wrist position • Adjustable back rest • (height and angle) • Adjustable chair height Feet flat on the floor • 5 star stable base - footrest if necessary ‘’’’’’’’’’’

11. DSE Essentials Any questions? Further information can be obtained from the Department of Occupational Health & Safety