1.1- Health & Safety Flashcards
Health and safety
Explain back ache
Back ache is mainly caused by sitting with incorrect posture. Slouching in a chair whilst using the computer can lead to back problems. Sitting awkwardly at a desk is another cause.
Health and safety
List 4 ways to help prevent back problems
- use an adjustable chair (NB in workplaces this is a legal requirement but you need to ensure that the chair you can use at home is adjustable).
- always check the adjustment of the chair to make sure it is suitable for your height. Use a foot support called a footrest if necessary.
- sit up straight on the chair with your feet flat on the floor.
- make sure the screen is lined up and tilted at an appropriate angle.
Health and safety
Explain repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Repetitive strain injury (RSI), sometimes called ULD (upper limb disorder), causes aches and pain in hands, wrists, arms and neck. Usually the symptoms do not last but they can be persistent and eventually disabling.
RSI can be prevented by good workstation design and good working practices.
Health and safety
List 8 ways to help prevent RSI
- adjust your chair to the correct seating position for you
- make sure there is enough space to work comfortably
- use a document holder
- use an ergonomic keyboard/mouse
- use a wrist rest
- keep your wrists straight when keying in
- position the mouse so that it can be used keeping the wrists straight
- learn how to type properly- two - finger typing has been found to be much worse for RSI.
Health and safety
Explain eye strain
Eye strain causes blurred vision and headaches. It is caused by using the screen for long periods, glare on the screen, dirt on the screen and working without the best lighting conditions.
Health and safety
List 5 ways to avoid eye strain
- keep the screen clean so it is easy to make out the characters on the screen
- use appropriate lighting (fluorescent tubes with diffusers) and blinds to avoid glare which can cause headaches
- take regular breaks to avoid stress and give your eyes a rest
- have regular eye-tests (NB if you use a screen in your work, then your employer is required by law to pay for regular eye-tests and glasses if they are needed)
- ensure you are not sitting too near the screen, to avoid the possible risks of radiation
Health and safety
Explain stress
Using ICT systems can be stressful, especially when things go wrong. The people who produce ICT systems for others to use (e.g., websites, databases, on-line ordering systems, etc.) have a responsibility to us all to make them simple to use.
Health and safety
List the 4 different ways where stress can come from
- the pace of work (e.g., too much to do in too little time)
- worry about using the new technology - older people feel they cannot cope
- software that is frustrating to use because it has not been designed properly
- losing work, problems with viruses and technical problems
Health and safety
List the 4 main health problems that may occur when working with ICT systems
- back ache
- repetitive strain injury (RSI)
- eye strain
- stress
Health and safety
Health and safety legislation
Under the health and safety at work act 1974, employers have a duty to minimise risks to employees in the workplace. Employees need to have a safe place to work and have a safe system of work.
(See book, page 4)
Health and safety
Health and safety legislation
List the 6 things which computer screens should do
- tilt and swivel
- be at an appropriate height for the user
- display a stable image with no flickering
- have brightness and contrast control
- be free from reflections
- be if an appropriate size for the software application being run (e.g. CAD - computer aided design) needs a large screen because there is so much displayed on the screen at one time).
Health and safety
Health and safety legislation
List 4 points on - there should be training of employees so that they:
- know how to make adjustments to the screen (I.e., alter the brightness and contrast)
- understand the need for taking regular breaks
- adjust the size of text and other screen elements so that they can be read easily
- understand the importance of keeping the screen clean
Health and safety
Health and safety legislation
Explain chairs
There is a tendency to slouch in chairs when using computers and especially when surfing the Internet. This would be avoided because prolonged slouching will almost certainly lead to back problems in the future.
Health and safety
Health and safety legislation
List the 3 points of which chairs should be
- adjustable in height so that the feet can be placed flat on the floor. If this is not possible because a person is short, then a footrest should be provided.
- have seat backs which provide proper back support (I.e., they should have adjustable height and tilt).
- have five feet with castors for stability and to ensure that it is easy for the chair to be moved closer and further away from the desk.
Health and safety
Health and safety legislation
List the 2 points which desks or workstations should do
- be big enough for computer equipment and paperwork
* have a Matt surface to reduce glare.
