Keeping A Happy, Healthy Work Force
Health and safety regulations introduced into the UK in 1992 state that all companies whose staff use display screen equipment (DSE) have a duty to minimise any potential health risks by ensuring the workplace and workstation are appropriately designed. This applies to staff using VDU's on a regular basis.
But why the necessity for this? Well, the use of DSE over a long period has been found to cause physical discomfort and worse if not used correctly. Of course, there is only one way to use the equipment but if a person is positioned awkwardly for any length of time and on a regular basis this will cause problems.
Neck stiffness is a major problem when the DSE is positioned at the wrong height. The head will be tilted slightly to see the screen clearly and the user won't notice for some time because they are engrossed in their work but over time, this will cause a problem.
The ideal height for a monitor is to have the top edge at eye level. This can be altered by adjusting the users chair height but of course this has to still sit comfortably with the desk height otherwise you are then looking at back, wrist and shoulder complaints.
The ideal way would be to adjust the height of the monitor alone. Most come with height adjusters but if not, you can always raise it up on a monitor stand or even books. Some people will naturally adjust their body position so that their head and neck are comfortably in line with their DSE but this is not a good idea.
Slouching in a seat will cause untold difficulties with the spine in the long run. Sometimes, these problems are irreversible and will have a knock on effect. Once a back has an injury, your muscles tend to take over and tense up in order to prevent the injury happening again but this then causes an unnatural position when sitting and walking and creates further health issues.
The health and safety issues regarding DSE should go hand in hand with increasing staff knowledge of the whole workstation layout. Things used regularly, such as the keyboard and mouse need to be in an optimum position so that the user is neither cramped or stretching and the desk and chair should be at the height that simulates the most natural sitting position. All this is in addition to the VDU being at the right height.
There is a set standard of guidelines in the health and safety act that should be applied but on top of this, individuals will find their own needs. The original guidelines should not be changed but there are times when individual needs should be met. For example, desks and chairs come in set sizes with limited adjustments but if a person is of a particularly small stature, then extra precautions should be put in place to take this into account.
The legs should be at a forty five degree angle so that the knees are in line with the hips. If a person has shorter than average legs, this won't happen on an average seat. Therefore, it is a good idea to have a small step under the desk to rest the feet on. This will prevent health issues with the hips and the back.
At the other end of the scale, taller people may need special considerations such as a VDU raised higher than normal to avoid neck problems or the need to slouch.
All these precautions are easy to implement and should be accompanied by regular breaks from the screen and from the desk to ensure fluid movement of the joints remains. Taking these steps will lead to a happier workforce who are more productive and take less sick days off.
Shaun Parker is a leading occupational therapy expert with many years of experience in the health industry. Find out more about DSE at http://www.complywise.co.uk