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GCSE ICT. Computers and your health. Health and Safety – Why?. People have a right to be safe at work. All employers must do as much as they can to ensure that their workers are safe. This is enforceable in law – Health and Safety at Work Act (1974). Hazards in an ICT workplace.
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GCSE ICT Computers and your health
Health and Safety – Why? • People have a right to be safe at work. • All employers must do as much as they can to ensure that their workers are safe. • This is enforceable in law – Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).
Hazards in an ICT workplace • The main hazards to heath in an ICT workplace are: • Backache. • Eyestrain. • Headaches. • Repetitive Strain Injury. • Radiation.
Backache • What can be done to alleviate backache? • Swivelling chairs. • Movable base with castors. • Adjustable back rests that support the lower back area. • Regular breaks to change posture.
Eye strain and headaches • What can be done to combat eye strain and headaches? • No screen flicker. • Angle, brightness, and contrast must be adjustable. • Reduction of reflective light. • Proper and adequate lighting. • Free, regular eye tests for VDU operators.
Repetitive strain injury • How can RSI be avoided? • Keyboard should be separate from the VDU. • Keyboard must be adjustable so that they can lie at an angle of 10 degrees • Keyboard should have concave keys to prevent fingers slipping and reduce impact shock on fingertips, fingers, wrists, and arms.
Radiation • What can be done to reduce radiation hazards? • Special radiation reduction shields on VDUs.
Things that must be considered when designing an office Is this typical? Is this safe?
Things that must be considered when designing an office • Adequate lighting. • No glare. • Minimal noise. • Good leg room. • Blinds • Appropriate software. • Placement of VDU. • Adjusted keyboard • Clear work surface • Adjustable chair • Proper ventilation & temperature
Things that must be considered when designing an office • Avoid the use of single pendant lamps as they produce glare on computer VDUs. • Use florescent tubes with diffusers or that produce artificial daylight. • Avoid the use of carpets made from artificial fibres as these cause static electricity.
Things that must be considered when designing an office • Windows should have adjustable blinds so that sunlight will not produce glare on computer VDUs. • Cables should be ducted and not allowed to trail across the floor. • Sufficient power sockets with surge resisters should be installed so that only one piece of equipment is plugged in to each socket.