Work with display screen equipment

Over 7 million people in the UK use Display Screen Equipment and other equipment (VDU) during their working day. Many people in the information technology industry will be amongst these and will potentially be at risk from ill-health effects associated with the use of VDUs such as upper limb disorders, vision problems and mental stress. In 1990 a EC Directive on minimum health and safety requirements for work with DSE was adopted. On 1st January 1993 the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations were introduced in the UK in order to implement the Directive. Amicus' Health and Safety Office advises that Amicus representatives ensure that the Regulations are implemented by their employers.

Do the regulations apply to you?

The Regulations apply to anyone who is defined as a user. A user is anybody who "habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of his or her normal work. "Amicus recommends that representatives should try to ensure that the definition of user is as wide as possible. However Amicus Representatives are advised, as a priority, to try to ensure employers provide all-round protection to members whether defined as users or not.

Workstations should be assessed

The Regulations require employers to carry out an assessment of the risks of workstations and reduce those risks. Employer assessors should be competent to carry out assessments and safety representatives and users should be involved in the assessments. Amicus representatives should ensure that any problems identified by the assessment be remedied promptly by the employer. Any problems not resolved should be reported to your Amicus Regional Officer.

Workstations must meet the new standards

New workstations must meet the minimum standards laid down upon instalment. For existing workstations employers have until the 31st December 1996 to bring them to the required standard. Amicus Representatives should ensure that their employer meets the requirements well before then.

What are the standards?

The Schedule to the Regulations outlines the minimum requirements for screens, keyboards, work desks, chairs and office environment. More detailed specifications covering, for example, the brightness of screens, adjustability of screens, chair design and keyboard design are contained in British, European and other standards referred to in the Health and Safety Executive Guidance to the Regulations.

Planning the daily work routine

The Regulations require employers to plan the daily work routine in such a way that use of the DSE is alternated with other tasks. If this is not possible then breaks should be introduced. Unfortunately the Regulations do not prescribe minimums in terms of screen breaks although the Health and Safety Executive does recommend, for example, that frequent breaks are more satisfactory than longer infrequent breaks. Amicus recommends that users take a 10 minute break after 50 minutes of DSE work. Amicus also recommends that any break taken should involve different postures and exercises.

Eye tests

It is the employer's responsibility to ensure that users receive eye tests and that the cost of this will be borne by the employer. If "corrective appliances" are required, the employer will be required to pay for the basic cost involved. The tests should be followed up on a regular basis depending on the optometrist's judgement. Amicus recommend negotiating agreements with employers for eye tests and provision of spectacles. Amicus advises representatives to make sure that members are aware of their rights.

Training

Users must be provided with training not only in how to use the equipment but also in the health and safety aspects of this work. Amicus Representatives should ensure that this includes how to recognise symptoms of ill-health and how to report them. Training in awareness of risks such as badly adjusted chairs, screen glare and incorrect hand/keyboard positions should be provided by the employer. Users will need to be trained in keyboard skills.

Repetitive Strain Injury

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI), or more correctly Work Related Upper Limb Disorders (WRULDs) are painful conditions associated with rapid repetitive movements, sustained or constrained postures and forceful movements. Such conditions may occur in office environments where rapid keystroke rates for prolonged periods of time are common. DSE operators, word processor operators, computer programmers, typists, filing clerks and data entry clerks may be at particular risk.

Unfortunately only a limited number of WRULDs (e.g. Tenosynovitis) are recognised as an industrial disease and it is often extremely difficult to sue employers for compensation for industrial disease or injury. Amicus believes that prevention is better than cure. Amicus Representatives should ensure that employers are complying with their legal duty to reduce the risk of WRULDs. Users should follow advice on correct work postures and the importance of taking breaks.

Information

The employer must provide full information to back up the training. Amicus Representatives should ensure that this includes a checklist for users.

The Amicus Health and Safety Office has produced a detailed publication on the regulations which includes a checklist of do's and don'ts for Amicus Representatives. (Work with Display Screen Equipment - A Guide to Health and Safety)