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Health and Safety Issues

For some years there has been concern about the effects on workers of using VDU and computer equipment. The issues focus on the following areas:

  • Concern about the effect on eyesight. VDU's have been blamed for causing eyestrain and there are claims that prolonged exposure can lead to the development of cataracts. Companies provide free eye tests for employees working with VDU's and legislation concerning the ambient lighting in the room has been introduced. An employer may also provide screen filters that increase contrast and reduce background reflections. The VDU should be positioned to reduce external reflections from windows or blinds should be used to reduce the light reaching the screen from the window.
  • Radiation Hazards. Computer equipment - particularly VDU's give of electromagnetic radiation. There is particular concern that this may lead to miscarriage or birth defects when pregnant women work for long periods at a VDU screen. Again there is conflicting evidence. Employers may have a policy of offering alternative work to pregnant employees and of introduction 'low emission' monitors which are screened so that the levels of radiation emitted are less.
  • Repetitive Strain Injury. This is most prevalent amongst people whose work involves long periods of intense keyboard work (repeatedly hitting the keys). It is thought to be due to inflammation of the wrist tendons. A solution is to have correctly positioned keyboards and adjustable chairs so that the angle between the wrist and hand is correct. Wrist supports can also be used and workers should be allowed regular breaks.
  • General Aches and Pains. Workers may complain of stiff necks or back problems related to their work. The solution is to have the correct relationship between the positions of the keyboard the head and the VDU. This requires swivel mounted VDU's and adjustable chairs and the use of foot rests
  • Stress. Working with a computer can be stressful in that the computer can handle data as quickly as the operator can enter it. In addition the introduction of computer technology tends to depersonalise the work environment, reducing the opportunity of human contact, so that a stress relieving chat or gossip is no longer possible. The solution to this is better office layout and design and development of small teams to allow personal interaction.
   

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