1.6.2.2 H&S @Work

The Health and Safety at Work Act

The Rise of Computers at Work

Since the invention of the Personal Computer (PC), there has been a massive growth in the use of computers in the work place. They seemd harmless enough, but workers began increasingly to reported work related health problems.

In Victorian times, factory workers (including children) had to risk their lives at work. Many workers were seriously injured or even killed at work in places like coal mines, factories, quarries and building sites.

In 1974, the Health and Safety at Work Act was made introduced.

The aims were to ensure that places of work were made safer and risks to health were minimised.

Companies had to take responsability for their employee's safety and well being whilst in the work environment.

There were growing concerns relating to:

- - - - The radiation emitted by VDUs
        Eye strain from long periods looking at computer screens
        The effects of repetitive movements on bones (RSI)
        The effects of sitting incorrectly at computers
        Using electrical equipment in busy areas.
        The effects of noise from equipment like printers.

Clearly a law made in 1974 would not cover problems with computers. so an amendment to the law was made.

Health and Safety at Work Act (1992)

his is a condition that can affect anyone who has to use the same parts of their body to make the same kind of movement over and over again. It can affect people like; musicians, secretaries, checkout assistants and computer users.

RSI builds up over time and can affect the joints of the hands or the back, and the muscles, nerves and tendons around the joints.

It is much easier to prevent than cure! Providing workers with regular rest breaks can reduce this problem.

There is legislation in place to ensure that both employers and employees do their jobs in a safe working environment.

- - - - Organisations have a responsibility to ensure that the environment workers have to carry out their jobs in is a safe one with any risks minimised.
        Employees also have a duty to ensure that they work safely and in accordance with any training they have been given.
        Health and safety legislation makes clear the obligations of both employers and employees.

Health and Safety Risks

The widespread use of computers in society has brought along with it a wide range of health and safety issues. In this section, we will outline the problems and the practical steps that can be taken to reduce the problems.

Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)

An employee's working environment should be considered. Employers should ask themselves some questions. For example,

Eye Strain

Constantly looking at a bright Visual Display Unit can cause eye problems. Eyes need to move around to stay lubricated - staring at a screen can cause a condition called 'dry-eye'. Looking at bright screens can strain eyes and cause defective vision. The problems can be reduced by:

Ensuring a good screen contrast. Using a screen filter helps.
Ensuring that users know that they should look away from the screen every 10 minutes or so.
Ensuring users take regular breaks away from the screen.
Ensuring that employees do not have defective vision. They should be given regular eye tests.

Injuries caused by bad posture

People who work for long periods at a computer can suffer from a range of problems such as backache, wrist strain or a sore neck. These are often caused by a bad working posture at the computer or a poorly designed workstation. Employers should ensure that employees can sit properly at computer stations and have had training to ensure that they know how to adjust equipment. Employees have a duty to follow the advice they have been given.

They should be able to adjust seats so that the lower arms are horizontal and at the same height as the keyboard.
They should be able to sit with their thighs horizontal with their legs under the table and have footrests.
They should be able to adjust the height and tilt of screens. Ideally, the eyes should look forward at the screen, not downwards or upwards. The back should be straight and the head should be directly over the spine. If the head is leaning forward or backwards, it puts pressure on the bones of the spine.
They should be able to adjust keyboards and they should be able to use a wrist rest for both the keyboard and the mouse. If wrists are not supported, they can quickly become strained.
They should be able to retrieve hard copy without over-stretching or bending low down.

The working environment

Are there any cables that are trailing around the computer that somebody could catch themselves on?
Is the ventilation adequate? Computers create heat. This can cause headaches and make the employees drowsy.
Is the lighting adequate?

Stress

People get stressed for a range of reasons.

New software and hardware products, and new updates, are introduced that have to be learnt. For some older people, this may be a problem, especially if they are trying to keep up with younger employees who have grown up with IT.

Software exists which constantly monitor performance. Data input operators could worry, for example, that they will lose their jobs if they don't go fast enough or make too many mistakes.
A strike in July 2003 crippled Heathrow Airport because employees had concerns about the introduction of a new computerised swipe card system.
Some employees may have few outlets to discuss their problems because some working environments involving computers reduce or remove the opportunity for social interaction.

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