AS Level ICT

Health and safety in relation to the use of ICT systems

Health and Safety – Why?

• People have a right to be safe at work• All employers must do as much as they can to

ensure that their workers are safe• This is enforceable in law – Health and Safety at

Work Act (1974)• There are also specific regulations about the use of

computers in the workplace – Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

Hazards in an ICT workplace

• The main hazards to heath in an ICT workplace are:– Backache– Repetitive Strain Injury

(RSI)– Eye strain and

Headaches– Stress– Radiation

Backache

• What can be done to alleviate backache?– The provision of an adjustable chair that:

• Can swivel• Have a movable base with at least five

castors• Have adjustable back rests that support the

lower back area• Can be set at a suitable height for each user

Backache

• What can be done to alleviate backache?– Provision of foot supports or foot rests– Correct posture (sitting straight on the chair with

your feet flat on the floor)– Regular breaks to change posture– Adjusting the screen so that it is lined up and

tilted at an appropriate angle

Repetitive strain injury

• How can RSI be avoided?– Adjusting the chair to the correct sitting position– Making sure that the working position is not too

cramped– Using a document holder– Using an ergonomically designed keyboard and

mouse– The keyboard must be adjustable so that it can

lie at an angle of 10 degrees

Repetitive strain injury

• How can RSI be avoided?– The keyboard should have concave keys to

prevent fingers slipping and reduce impact shock on fingertips, fingers, wrists, and arms

– Keeping the wrist straight when using the keyboard

– Using a wrist rest– Positioning the mouse so that it is possible to

keep the wrist straight

Repetitive strain injury

• How can RSI be avoided?– Learning to type properly; it has been found that

two-finger typists are more likely to suffer from RSI that properly trained typists

Eye strain and headaches

• What can be done to combat eye strain and headaches?– Keeping the screen clean– Proper and adequate lighting (e.g. fluorescent

lighting with diffusers)– Reduction of reflective light (e.g. the use of

window blinds to reduce on-screen glare)– Taking regular breaks to avoid stress and to rest

the eyes– Having regular eye tests

Eye strain and headaches

• What can be done to combat eye strain and headaches?– Not sitting too near the screen– Using a flat screen that does not produce screen

flicker.– Adjusting the angle, brightness, and contrast of

the screen

Stress

• What can cause stress?– Too much to do in too little time– Feeling that you are unable to cope with new

technology and work-load– Poorly designed software– Losing work due to technical problems and

viruses

Stress

• What can be doe to reduce stress?– Proper planning of individual and group work

schedules– Regular training and re-training for staff– Using properly designed, user-friendly software– Having a well maintained computer system and

up-to-date anti-virus software installed

Radiation

• What can be done to reduce radiation hazards?– Special radiation reduction shields on CRT

screens– No sitting too close to the screen

Things that must be considered when designing an office

1. Adequate lighting

2. No glare

3. Minimal noise

4. Good leg room

5. Blinds

6. Appropriate software

7. Placement of screen

8. Adjusted keyboard

9. Clear work surface

10. Adjustable chair

11. Proper ventilation & temperature

Things that must be considered when designing an office

• Avoid the use of single pendant lamps as they produce glare on computer screens

• Use florescent tubes with diffusers or that produce artificial daylight

• Avoid the use of carpets made from artificial fibres as these cause static electricity

Things that must be considered when designing an office

• Windows should have adjustable blinds so that sunlight will not produce glare on computer screens

• Cables should be ducted and not allowed to trail across the floor

• Sufficient power sockets with surge resisters should be installed so that only one piece of equipment is plugged in to each socket

AS Level ICT

Health and safety in relation to the use of ICT systems