Table Of ContentDISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT: A
USER'S GUIDE
Contents Page
Introduction 3
DisplayScreen Equipment 4
The Desk 5
The Chair 6
Accessories.................... 7
DocumentHolder 7
Footrest 7
Mouse 7
Wrist Rest 8
Telephone 8
Adjusting yourWorkstation 8
Work Breaks and Job Design 9
Software...................................................................................................................... 10
Eyes and Eyesight 10
EyesightTesting 11
Glasses 11
The Work Environment 12
Lighting................................................. 12
Temperature 12
Humidity 12
Noise 12
Reflections and Glare............................................................................................... 12
Training and Information 14
DisplayScreens and Health 14
Radiation 14
Cataracts and Epilepsy 15
Headaches 15
OtherSources of Information 15
AUTHOR
Stephen King BSc (Eng), MIOSH, Dip SM, MIIRSM, MRSH, FIPC.
Stephen King is a director of Personnel Health and Safety Consultants Ltd, an
independent consultancy and training organisationbased in Maidstone, Kent.
PersonnelHealth&Safety ConsultantsLimited
WealdenCourt
Teston
Maidstone
Kent ME18SAG
CronerPublications Ltd
Croner House
London Road
Kingston upon Thames
Surrey KT26SR
Tel:081-5473333Telex: 267778Fax:081-5472637
Copyright © 1993CRONER PUBLICATIONS LTO
Reprinted 1993
All rights reserved. ISBN185524201X
Printed by Hobbs the Printers of Southampton
No partofthis publicationmaybe reproduced,storedin aretrievalsystem,or transmitted
in any form or by any means, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without
the priorpermissionin writing of the publishers.
Although great care has been taken in the compilation and preparation of DisplayScreen
Equipment:A User'sGuideto ensure accuracy, the publishers cannot in any circumstances
acceptresponsibilityfor errorsor omissions.Subscribersshouldbe awarethatonlyActs of
Parliament and Statutory Instruments have the force of law and that only courts can
authoritativelyinterpret the law.
Publisher:RuthChapman
2 DISPLAY SCREENEQUIPMENT: A USER'S GUIDE
INTRODUCTION
The Healthand Safety(DisplayScreen Equipment>Regulations1992cameinto
force on 1 January 1993. They have been introduced to enable employers and
employeesto minimiseanyrisks arisingfrom the useofVDUs andotherdisplay
screen equipmentused for work.
Your employer has some new obligations. These include the assessment of
yourexistingfurniture, equipment,workenvironmentandjobdesign. Anyrisks
identified have to be rectified as soon as reasonably practicable.
Certainminimumstandardshaveto be achieved,by 31December1996in the
case ofworkstationsthatwerein placebeforethe endof1992- andimmediately
in the case of new workstations introduced after that date.
The primarypurposeofthe Regulationsistoensurethatyouhaveequipment,
furniture and surroundings that enable you to work in adequate comfort.
The assessmentexercisecannotbe effectivewithoutthe inputofyou,the user.
This booklet has been provided to help you to understand the law, your
employer's obligations and the partthatyou can playin helping your employer
to meet them.
This bookletalso givessomecommonsenseadviceabouthowyoucan achieve
comfortat yourworkstation,andgiveshintsand tips on overcomingsomeofthe
problems that may arise.
There is no reason why you should not be able to carry out your work in
complete safety, provided that a sensible approach is adopted by all concerned.
Pleasereadthis bookletcarefully,andalwaysask questionsifthereisanything
that is unclear.
INTRODUCTION 3
DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT
Figure 1: Screen and Keyboard
Screen
Screen
The screenshould normallybe able to tilt and swivelso that you can adjust the
viewing angle. Make sure that the mechanism works - report it if it needs
servicing.
There should be a contrast or brightness controL
Thescreenshouldbeseparatefromthe keyboard.Itshouldbecapableofbeing
placed at a height that is comfortable for you.
The images on the screenshould be stable, withoutflicker and legible. Clean
the screen regularly. Reflections or glare can usually be avoided by slightly
changing the angle or position of the screen upon the desk. Use window blinds
where these are available. Ifall else fails and as a last resort, an anti-glare filter
maybe necessary. Special cleaning materials maybe needed for screen filters.
4 DISPLAYSCREEN EQUIPMENT: A USER'S GUIDE
Keyboard
It should be possible to raise the height at the back of the keyboard, usuallyby
little legs.
Thecable onthe keyboardmustbelongenoughtoenableyoutoplaceitwhere
you want it.
The keys should be legible and should function correctly.
THE DESK
Figure 2: Workstation Layout
ClearSpace
beneath
worksurface
Drawers
beneath
worksurface
General
paperwork
tasks
Drawers
beneath
worksurface
Workstationdesignedforaright-handedperson,
showingpreferreddrawerpositionsandtasklayout
Your deskshouldbe largeenoughtoenablethe screenandkeyboardtobe placed
directlyin front ofyou. The distancefrom front to backmustallowat least5cm
betweenthe frontofthe keyboardandthe deskedge.This istoenableyouto rest
yourhandsbetweenkeying tasks. You shouldbe able to varythe positionof the
viewing distance of the screen.
Where the desk has built-in drawers, do not place your screen or keyboard
above them, or you will have to assume an unsuitable posture when keying.
Makesurethatyouhaveenoughlegroomunderthe worksurface- avoidstoring
materialsbeneaththe desk.Olderdesksthathaveadrawerat the centrefrontare
not suitable for users of display screen equipment.
THE DESK 5
Newer desks have mobile pedestal drawer units. If you have one of these,
placeitin a positionthatdoesnotobstructfree access to the partofthe deskthat
houses the keyboard.
The surface of the desk should not cause disturbing reflection of overhead
lights.
Ifyouhaveasecondworksurfacesuchas an "L" shape,arrangethe layoutso
thatthe areausedfor writingtasksison the rightifyouare right-handedandon
the left ifyou are left-handed (see Figure 2).
Try and organise your work so that the desk is kept clear of unnecessary
clutterandobstructions.Ifyouidentifyaneedfor additionalstorage,discussthis
with your manager.
THE CHAIR
Figure 3: Adjustibility of Chairs
Backrestangle
Backrest
height
Seat
height
You should be able to adjust your chair so as to achieve a comfortable seated
posture.The heightofthe seatshouldbe capableofbeingfixed in yourpreferred
position, and so should the height of the backrest. Some chairs have a backrest
that can be independently adjusted for angle of tilt, such as in the illustration
6 DISPLAYSCREENEQUIPMENT: A USER'S GUIDE
above.Withothers,the backrestautomaticallyadjustswhenyouleanbackwards.
Check that you understand how the adjustments are supposed to function, and
that they are in good working order.
The chair should be stable, and should enable you to vary position without
undue effort.
There is no requirement for a chair to have arms, it is a matter of user
preference. Some of the more expensive chairs have removable or adjustable
arms. Ifyourchairdoeshavearms, makesurethattheydo notpreventyoufrom
drawing yourselfclose to the worksurface.
Some older chairs with hydraulic seat-height adjustment mechanisms are
unsuitablefor peopleweighingover16stones. Ifthis applies in your case, check
with your manager.
It is quite possible for a person to have a fully-adjustable chair and still to be
uncomfortable. This may, for example, apply to people above or below average
height or to those who suffer from a back problem. If you have a medical
conditionthatmayrequireaspecialchair,oryoucannotachievecomfortforsome
other reason, make sure that this is disclosed to the company.
ACCESSORIES
DOCUMENT HOLDER
Whereaholderwouldbe ofbenefit,youremployershouldsupplyone.Itshould
enable you to positionthe documentat the same heightand angle as the screen,
to reduce awkward neck movements. You may find it more convenient for the
holdertobebetweenthe keyboardandscreen,providedthatthis doesn'tinterfere
with comfort.
FOOTREST
Where you require the use of a footrest, your employer has to supply one.The
footrestshouldbestable,andshouldenableyoutoplaceyourfeetflatuponit.For
an explanation of why you might need a footrest, please refer to the section
entitled "Adjusting your Workstation" on page 8.
MOUSE
Where your job requires the use of a mouse, or some other input device, there
must be adequate space for safe use. With a mouse, it is usual for a template,
ACCESSORIES 7
about A4 size, to be used. This should be placed on your preferred side, and
should be unobstructed. The mouse itself can be specified for use by either a
right-handed or a left-handed user - consult your manager if yours is not
suitable.
WRIST REST
Some peoplemayfind theuse ofawristrestadvantageous,particularlywherethe
keyboard is of a very thick construction.
TELEPHONE
Try toplacethe telephoneon yourpreferredsideofthe desk,arrangeforalonger
cable ifthe presentone doesnotreach. Avoidcradlingthe receiverbetweenyour
head and shoulder during conversations- this is a common cause of neck and
shoulder pains, and these may not occur until some time afterwards.
ADJUSTING YOUR WORKSTATION
Figure 4: Upright Seated Posture
8 DISPLAYSCREEN EQUIPMENT: A USER'S GUIDE
