The term Display Screen Equipment, is used to define a range of
electrical display equipment, that is part of a computer, and used
mainly to display text, numbers, graphs, charts and graphics.
All of the physical stresses associated with computer use however,
can be reduced or eliminated altogether, by using common sense and a
better working environment.
Questions and Answers
Do display screens affect your eyesight? There is no evidence to suggest that display screens cause any sort of damage to your eyes.
Do bifocal glasses casue a problem? Wearing bifocals will only be a problem, if you have to keep raising and lowering your head to focus on the screen.
Do contact lenses cause a problem? If you wear contact lenses, you may find that in the dry working conditions often associated with computers, your eyes become drier and uncomfortable.
Can display screens cause headaches? Headaches can be a common problem for people using display screen equipment, and can be as a result of a variety of different factors, such as anxiety, tension, eye strain and poor working posture.
Can display screen equipment lead to stress? Working with display screen equipment can cause stress, but as with many other jobs, this is more often than not due to greater work loads and the pressure to reach deadlines.
Can using display screen equipment lead to aches and pains? Computer related aches and pains are generally as a result of poor workplace design and poor working practices, both of which can usually be corrected and resolved.
Can working with display screen equipment cause skin disorders? Research shows that a small number of people have experienced minor skin irritations while using display screens.
Can using display screens cause epileptic fits? A small number of people who suffer from photo-sensitive epilepsy may be affected by the use of display screens in some circumstances.
Does being pregnant cause a problem? Many scientific studies have been carried out over recent years to assess if there is a link between miscarriages, birth defects, and the use of display screen equipment, and as a whole none have been found.
Do display screens give out harmful radiation? Although computer screens do give out some forms of electromagnetic radiation that can be harmful above certain levels, the levels emitted by computers are far below the safe levels set out by international recommendations.
Putting Ergonomics to Good Use
The most comfortable position for the upper body when sitting, is with the back supported, the head up, and the arms hanging to the sides.
Workstation Layout.
Ideally, the screen should be at least 18" away from your face, and adjustable, so that both the angle of viewing and the height can be changed.
The ideal keyboard should be thin to avoid bending the wrists, and
have a flex long enough for you to position it in places that are most comfortable for typing.
Your chair should be stable, and fully adjustable in terms of height, and backrest movement.
The ideal work surface should be non-reflective to reduce glare.
A document holder helps to prevent frequent head movements.
Posture.
Sit with your elbows close to the sides of your body.
Adjust the screen and keyboard to get a good viewing position, leaving space in front of the keyboard to rest your hands on when you are not typing.
Keep your head up, so that your eye level is just above the top of the screen.
Make sure that your lower back is supported.
Lighting.
You can control much of the glare, reflection and shading produced
by direct sunlight shining through windows, by closing blinds.
If you use supplementary lighting, make sure that it does not affect
nearby users.
Work Planning.
There should be a certain amount of variety in your job, that
occasionally allows you to work productively away from the computer.
The length and duration of breaks depend upon the job and the user,
but guidelines suggest that 5-10 minutes each hour is better than 15 minutes every 2 hours.
Exercises for DSE users
Simple exercises that you can perform at your workstation are described, under the headings :
Eyes, posture, breathing, trunk and waist, shoulders, legs and feet.
Warm up before exercising.
Build up your exercises over time.
Make sure that you have enough room.
Workstation Assessment
Your employer is required to perform an analysis of your workstation in order to assess risks to health and safety.
The assessment should aim to minimise the risk of postural problems, visual fatigue, and mental stress.
A 50 question checklist concerning your own personal workstation is presented. The results are saved and can be studied by your superviser.
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