Display Screen Equipment User Training

1. Display Screen Equipment User Training Legal Requirements & Policy Equipment Standards Setting up your equipment DSE and Health Definitions

2. Display Screen Equipment Safety Legal Requirements Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 These regulations place specific responsibilities on the University to employees using display screen equipment (DSE). Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 The University has a general duty of care to all its employees. Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Back Fwd Menu

3. Display Screen Equipment Regulations These regulations cover specific requirements for users of DSE and include:- • the need to analyse DSE workstations • minimum requirements of workstations of users • the need to consider daily work routine of users • the need to provide eye and eyesight testing • the need to provide training • the need to provide relevant information Back Fwd Menu

4. University System for the Management of DSE Safety Generic risk assessment University Policy DSE workstation assessment programme Availability of awareness information and training on-line for all employees via induction process. ‘User’ determination / completion of self assessment Assessors nominated and trained Deficiencies identified? Yes via line manager or F/DSC Second stage assessment carried out by trained assessor Symptoms experienced or incident report Line Manager No copy F/DSS Refer if required H & S Unit Back Fwd Menu

5. Equipment Standards Screen and Image • Screen can swivel and tilt • Characters well defined • Brightness and contrast adjustable by operator • Image on screen clear and stable - no flickering or instability Back Fwd Menu

6. Equipment Standards Keyboard • Where possible separate from screen. • Able to tilt • Matt finish to reduce glare • Symbols on keys legible • Suitable for the application Back Fwd Menu

7. Equipment Standards Workstation or Desk • Large enough for flexible layout of equipment • Enough space to allow operators or users to adopt comfortable position • Low reflectance surface - minimal glare • Good contrast between surface and copy Back Fwd Menu

8. Equipment Standards Work Chair • Stable, allows operator to find comfortable position • Upholstered to avoid hard front edge • Seat pad height adjustable • Seat back height and tilt adjustable • Footrest available if required Back Fwd Menu

9. Equipment Standards Working Environment Space - adequate for adopting normal and comfortable posture Lighting - sufficient to be able to see clearly to do the task (500 lux) Reflections and glare - reduced so far as is practicable Noise - levels not to be intrusive Heat - Min temp 16oC, no legal max., comfort is the key Humidity - relative approx. 40% but related to temperature Back Fwd Menu

10. Equipment Standards Computer / user interface • Software ergonomics principles applied • Suitable for task and operator, particularly pointing devices • Interface to be adaptable to the user • Feedback on system performance and help available • Data presented in suitable format and pace • Operators to be aware of performance monitoring systems (not applicable at the University) Back Fwd Menu

11. Setting up your equipment 1. Work Chair Adjust seat height to ensure hands are perpendicular to keyboard (height adjustment is usually achieved by a handle to the left underside of the chair) If with the chair set at the correct height feet cannot be placed flat on the floor ask for a footrest. A Footrest must be provided if required i.e. if feet cannot be placed flat on the floor with seat adjusted to correct height. Back Fwd Menu

12. Setting up your equipment With the chair set to the correct height it should not be too high to create pressure under your thighs nor too low to give no thigh support. As a rough guide knees should be at right angles. Remember a foot rest must be provided if required. Back Fwd Menu

13. Setting up your equipment Seat back height and tilt should be adjusted to provide support for the small of the back when sitting erect but comfortable. Seat back height adjustment should be independent of chair height adjustment and is often adjusted by loosening control to rear of chair. Adjust to correct height and re-tighten control Seat tilt adjustment is often adjusted by releasing lever to left underside of the chair. Adjust to correct incline and re-set lever If in doubt ask for further advice Back Fwd Menu

14. Setting up your equipment 2 Screen Position screen at a comfortable viewing position, height and distance. 350-600mm As a general rule the actual screen should be at roughly eye level. The screen should be positioned about 350-600mm ( 14-24 ins) away dependant upon user preference Back Fwd Menu

15. Setting up your equipment Position screen, keyboard and documents to suit the job. It is good practice to place the screen directly behind a centrally placed keyboard with paperwork to one side. Whilst this layout is suitable for some jobs, data entry and word processing jobs can often benefit from different desk layouts. Back Fwd Menu

16. Setting up your equipment Screen positioned to minimise reflective glare, ideally: - the screen should be positioned perpendicular to any windows positioned between, rather than under, rows of lighting so that your line of sight is parallel to the light fittings. the angle of the screen should be about perpendicular to your line of sight, although this may need to be altered to avoid reflections in the screen (in which case it should be tilted towards the vertical just enough to minimise the problem). Back Fwd Menu

17. Setting up your equipment Sufficient room in front of keyboard to rest hands. Do not rest forearms on edge of desk as this can lead to health problems. Mouse positioned correctly i.e. Positioned close to body, no excessive reaching to operate. Ensure correct operation of mouse Fingers should be place down the body of the mouse to reduce movement at the knuckles and operation should be from the elbow to limit bending and twist at the wrist. Back Fwd Menu

18. DSE and Health Musculo-skeletal problems - aches and pains in neck or back Upper Limb Disorders (ULD) - aches and pains in hands and arms or shoulders Visual fatigue - tired, sore eyes and headaches Mental stress - feeling unable to cope, mental distress Such conditions should not be considered inevitable to DSE use and any symptoms must be reported to your line manager,F/DSC or Health and Safety Unit (Ext.1036) as soon as possible. Back Fwd Menu

19. DSE and Health Aches and pains can progress to actual injury - eg carpal tunnel syndrome (ULD) DSE use CANNOT cause eye damage Fatigue and stress can lead to time off work and long term health effects Screen flicker can trigger certain type of epilepsy Electromagnetic radiation - NOproven ill-health effects including expectant mothers Back Fwd Menu

20. DSE and Health Working practices Ensure variety is built into workday i.e. ensure DSE work is broken up with non-DSE work. It is important that such work does not involve similar muscle groups,for example writing by hand. Ensure breaks are taken away from screen and keyboard. Numerous micro breaks are proven to be more effective than formal longer breaks. Make sure longer breaks are not used to work on DSE, for example, completion of private work or accessing the internet. Take time to stretch all parts of upper limbs Back Fwd Menu

21. DSE and Health Eye and Eyesight Test The University will pay for a test of vision and an examination of the eye on request from a ‘User’ providing the referral is made by Human Resources Where such a test indicates the need for spectacles specifically for DSE use, the University will arrange for payment of basic spectacles. Where a higher specification is preferred the University will make a contribution equal to the cost of a basic pair. Back Fwd Menu

22. Definitions • Display Screen Equipment (DSE) - any alphanumeric or graphic display screen (e.g. VDU, Microfiche, LCDs, Process Control Equipment. TVs not covered except editing onto Teletext). • Use - use for or in connection with work. (DSE used at home for work is covered by the regulations) • ‘User’ - employee who uses DSE. Back Fwd Menu

23. Definitions Who is a User? Where use of display screen equipment is more or less continuous on most days employees are classed as users. Where use is less frequent, persons should be classed as a user if most or all of the following apply: - they depend on using the display screen equipment to do their job they have no discretion as to use or non-use of the equipment they use the equipment for prolonged spells of more than one hour Back Fwd Menu

24. Who is a User? they use the equipment more or less daily fast transfer of information between user and screen is part of the job the system demands high levels of attention/concentration by users Back Fwd Menu

25. DSE - Workstation Self Assessment Thank you for completing this awareness training Please remember to complete a DSE Workstation Self Assessment and submit it to your line manager. Back Menu