HSE Guide Working With VDU

[TrueBlueTerrier]

No. 292/08
Ref P10
Date: 17 April 2008

To: All Branches

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) - HSE Workstation Checklist For Safety Reps & HSE Guide Working With VDUs (INDG36)

The HSE are running an information campaign for Display Screen Equipment (DSE) or a visual display unit (VDU) users.

Computer workstations or equipment can be associated with neck, shoulder, back or arm pains, fatigue and eyestrain. These aches and pains are sometimes called upper limb disorders (ULDs) or repetitive strain injuries (RSI). These problems can be avoided by following good practice.

Display screen equipment (DSE) is any work equipment having a screen that displays information. Typical examples are computer screens [called monitors or VDUs].

Surveys have found that high proportions of DSE workers report aches, pains or eye discomfort. Mostly these conditions do not indicate any serious ill health, but it makes sense to avoid them as far as possible.

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations aim to protect the health of people who work with DSE. That does not mean that DSE work is risky – it isn’t, if the user follows good practice like setting up their workstation well and taking breaks in intensive work.

The Regulations were introduced because DSE has become one of the commonest kinds of work equipment. So there is potential to make work more comfortable and productive for very large numbers of people by taking a few simple precautions.

The HSE have developed a new VDU checklist to help safety representatives and individual workers carry out workplace inspections where there are visual display units, such as computer screens (also referred to as DSE - display screen equipment). It is very similar to the one HSE recommends in its guidance to employers. This checklist can be used by anyone as an aid to risk assessment and to help compliance with the Schedule to the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations.

The HSE leaflet INDG36 is a guide for people who work with visual display units (VDUs), and their employers. It:

* answers questions that are most often asked about VDUs and health (see page );
* gives a summary of the law on VDU work (the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 992), and outlines what employers and employees should do to comply (see page 4);
* suggests some simple adjustments that users can make to workstations and screens to make them more comfortable and easy to use (see page 5); and
* explains how employers and users can get further advice.

[See attached copies of HSE Publications "Working With VDUs" INDG36 and "VDU Workstation Checklist For Safety Representatives" C450]
Yours Sincerely


Dave Joyce
National Health, Safety & Environment Officer

[DonaldDuck]

What about when the screen is cut in half, so 2 letters appear on the screen, which is what happens in the MDEC, it was
brought in so the faster keyers can type the bottom letter whilst looking at the top one (which is the one, they will do next).
In our office some of our monitors are only 15", so can you imagine this cut in half, not much good for the eyesight....

I'm amazed that this ever got past the "health & safety regs" as I personally don't think this benefits the keyers in any way, and
in fact leads to problems for the keyers.

So, what do the health & safety reps feel about this?