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EU Health and Safety Directives (1992). Ruhi -Ur-Rashid & Samera Rehman. Objectives.
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EU Health and Safety Directives (1992) Ruhi-Ur-Rashid & SameraRehman
Objectives • The objectives of the Regulations are to improve working conditions at DSE by providing ergonomic solutions, to enable certain regular users of the equipment to obtain eye and eyesight tests and information about hazards, risks and control measures associated with their workstations.
What does it involve? • Relates to the use of VDU (visual display units – monitors etc.) and related computer equipment. • It covers any health problems that are caused by the use of a computer and VDU (Visual Display Unit or Monitor) • The Problems Could Be: • Eyestrain • Stress • Backache or joint ache and RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury).
Duties imposed by the Regulations • These Regulations apply to display screens where there is a ‘user’ who uses the screen as apart of their daily work.Employers duties: • Assess display screen equipment workstations and reduce any risks which are discovered • Ensure that workstations satisfy essential safety requirements which are set for the display screen itself, keyboard, desk and chair, working environment and task design and software. • Plan display screen equipment work so that there are breaks or changes of activity; andprovide information and training for display screen equipment users. • Display screen equipment users are also entitled to appropriate eye and eyesight tests, and to special spectacles if needed, where normal ones cannot be used.
The VDU screen • Text shape, size and spacing should make it easy to read.• Brightness and contrast should be adjustable by the user.• The screen image should not be unstable and there should be no glare or reflections that may cause discomfort.• The screen should swivel and tilt and not be fixed in one place.• The eyes of the user should be in the range of 350-600mm from the screen, preferably looking down slightly at the screen at an angle of 15-20 degrees and at right angles to the screen.
Risk Assessment • Requires employers to carry out a 'suitable and sufficient analysis' of all workstations provided for use by users or operators - in other words, a risk assessment. The principal risks to be looked at for DSE work are defined as: • physical (musculoskeletal) problems • visual fatigue • mental stress. • The assessment must be reviewed when matters change. • Identified risks must be reduced to the lowest extent reasonably practicable. • Where users are required by the employer to work at home on DSE, whether or not the workstation is provided in whole or in part, an assessment must be carried out.
Shared workstations • Where users share workstations, such as in shift working areas or where 'hot desking' is in operation, the guidance requires the workstation to be analysed and assessed for all of those who use it and are users or operators, as defined. • It is particularly important that equipment, such as chairs, provided to meet the particular needs of a specific user are readily available to that user at whichever workstation they are using. • Requires that all DSE workstations must meet the Schedule of Minimum Requirements. • This strengthens the original regulations, which only applied the schedule to those workstations to be used by users or operators. • The schedule covers display screens, keyboards, work desks and chairs and environmental factors such as space, lighting, heat, noise and humidity. It also applies rules to the interface between software and users.
Breaks • Requires employers to ensure that users get periodic breaks or changes of activity away from the display screen equipment. • Ideally, this should be achieved through job design, so that changes of activity and posture occur naturally. Where this is not possible, deliberate breaks must be introduced. • The aim of such changes in routine is to avoid risks of postural fatigue. • Breaks should occur before the onset of fatigue and, if formal breaks, should be short and frequent rather that long, traditional 'tea-break' style. It is better for users to be able to take breaks as they feel the need, rather than having a set pattern. • The employer should ensure, through management and supervision, that adequate breaks are being taken.
Eyesight tests and corrective appliances • Concerns the provision of eye and eyesight tests and payment for certain types of corrective appliance (or glasses). • All new users and anyone who was a user at 1 January 1993 are entitled to ask for an eye and eyesight test under this regulation. • This must be provided, by the employer, free of charge, making use of a 'competent person'. In effect, this means a sight test by a suitably qualified medical practitioner or ophthalmic optician. • Although employers can offer such alternatives as vision screening tests or other methods of indicating need for a full eye test, they cannot prevent a user opting for a full eyesight test instead. • At the first such test, the examining optician should be asked to recommend when a re-test is needed. The user is entitled to this also, free of any charge. • Where the test shows the need for a special corrective appliance, the employer must fund the basic cost. Bi and Varifocal lenses are now included in the definition of special corrective appliances.
The working environment • Lighting should give good contrast and should be slightly dimmer than would normally be used for reading from paper.• Glare and reflections on the screen should be prevented.• The room temperature should be comfortable• Noise levels should be below that of normal conversation.• Large surfaces should have a medium level of reflectance.
Training and Information • Requires the employer to provide all users with adequate training on the workstation - this should include how to arrange the workstation safely and suitably and what to do if the user develops any work-related health problems. • Requires employers to provide information to users and operators on risks identified by the assessment, steps taken to reduce the risks, and, where appropriate, the systems for breaks and for eyesight tests.
