Computersight -

Almost one hundred percent of people who work in an office use a PC on a daily basis. That means that they can potentially spend eight hours a day – sometimes more – looking in to the screen of a VDU (Visual Display Unit). For the most part they are safe – most monitors do not give out harmful levels of radiation. They very rarely cause things such as skin complaints. It has also been proven that VDUs do NOT harm pregnant women.

First of all, let’s get the terminology correct! Many people get confused between what the difference is between a VDU (Visual Display Unit), a monitor and DSE (Display Screen Equipment). Not to put too fine a point on it, there isn’t a difference. Each of these terms means exactly the same things – a screen which is part of a computer that shows a combination of text, numbers and graphics. To bring it completely up to date, it may also these days show video and play music!

Many people suffer ill effects simply because of the way they use their PC. These things can be alleviated by the introduction of ergonomics (see previous article on the subject).

However, any employer is responsible for carrying out certain things – BY LAW. Under the Health and Safety At Work Act 1974, employers are obliged to do certain things. Additionally, in the UK there is another law and it is called the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. It is a bit of a mouthful but it is an important law (some small changes were made in 2002 so you may hear it referred to as that as well). In general, the obligations of an employer are as follows:

• Assess and decrease any risk from Visual Display Units
• Ensure that the workstations meet safety requirements – these rules cover screens, software, covering screens, keyboards, desks and chairs
• Make sure that the working day is planned so that there is the opportunity for people to take breaks from using their PC and do something else
• They should arrange for you to go and take an eye test if one is needed
• They must provide information on health and safety so that the employees can check that the policies are being implemented properly

Many people believe that these rules only apply if you are traveling to work every day and working in the premises of your employer. Not true! If you are working from home then your employer must ensure that things are done properly there as well – in terms of health and safety at least. If you are self-employed, however, you can ignore the above – at your peril!

Another thing that many people believe is that it is the law that you are allowed to take a ten minute break from working at a computer every hour. This is not so – there is no legal limit restricting an employer here. However, you do have the right to take breaks from using a computer and these do NOT have to be rest breaks. It is up to your employer to give you the opportunity to do different types of work while not at your workstation.

There is guidance from the Health And Safety Executive about this. For example, the HSE suggest that it is much better for health if short breaks (of five to ten minutes) are taken each hour, rather than say fifteen or twenty minutes every two hours.

For employees who are disabled, then the employer must ensure that reasonable equipment is provided for you to use. This could mean software that enlarges the content of the screen if you are visually impaired. It could mean voice recognition software or specialist keyboards.

Believe it or not, not a single study has shown that there is a link between damage to the eyes and the use of computers! It is probably because the screen is so bright that your eyes feel tired after the end of a session on your computer. This could be helped by reducing the brightness of the screen or by asking your employer to buy an anti-glare screen, although the need for these is not as great now since the introduction of liquid crystal screens.

This aside, you have the right to a FREE eye test if you are a heavy user of computers at work. There is the possibly of more free tests if that is what the optometrist recommends and your employer must purchase a basic pair of glassed for you if it is proven that you need them especially for work.

A number of people using computers in the workplace say they are stressed out. This is often not the VDU itself but the pressure of work! If an employee does not feel able to control the system in which they work or feel up to the job then technostress (see previous article on the subject) can kick in! Employers can help with this – by making sure that they give their employees the correct training. In addition, they must take responsibility for making sure that the tasks that are given match the abilities of their employees.