Over five million people in Britain use VDUs for a significant part of their work. If good working practices are not followed, VDU workers can suffer stress, visual discomfort, as well as aches and pains in the hands, wrists, arms or shoulders. They also risk musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) or other health problems.
However, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) says all these problems can be prevented by good workplace and job design and by using the equipment and workstation in the right way.
Accordingly, the HSE last week published a new edition of its guidance book, Working with VDUs. Elizabeth Gyngell, head of HSE's Better Working Environment Division, said: "The new edition of Working with VDUs takes account of minor changes to the law that came into effect last September, as a result of the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002."
These Regulations extend another set of Regulations that were passed ten years previously, The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations.
The 1992 Regulations set out minimum standards, addressing the requirements of VDUs ("the screen must swivel and tilt easily"), keyboards ("shall be tiltable", "the space in front of the keyboard shall be sufficient to provide support for the hands and arms"), work surfaces (must have a "low-reflectance surface") and work chair ("shall be adjustable in both height and tilt", "a footrest shall be made available to any operator who wishes one").
The 2002 Regulations extend the 1992 rules to all workstations.
Gyngell continued,
"By following HSE's guidance on VDU work, preventive action in most workplaces can be taken quite easily and need not be costly. Indeed it is likely to be far more expensive for employers and their insurers to ignore MSDs, which may lead not only to compensation claims, but also to costs arising from sickness absences and reduced productivity."
In 2001/2002, around 1.1 million people in Great Britain suffered from MSDs caused or made worse by work, and an estimated 12.3 million working days were lost due to work-related MSDs. On average each sufferer took 19.4 days off.
Breaching the Regulations could result in a claim against an employer for damages; but it also amounts to an offence that could be prosecuted, risking a fine of up to £5,000 in a lower court or an unlimited fine in a higher court.
Working with VDUs gives revised practical advice on working with a mouse, taking into account the latest research results.
The main points are to adopt a good posture, placing the mouse close so it can be used with a relaxed arm and straight wrist; to support the arm, for example on the desk surface; and to take frequent breaks and try to limit the time spent using the mouse. If users still find gripping the mouse awkward, the advice is to try a different sized or shaped mouse, or another device such as a trackball.
The revised booklet also recommends using a docking station when working with a portable computer in an office environment.
Two priced HSE guidance booklets on VDU work were published on International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day 2003 (28 February).
The law on VDUs: an easy guide is aimed at small businesses and contains illustrated, practical advice on avoiding risk from using ordinary office computers, while Work with display screen equipment discusses the issues in full technical and legal detail and is aimed at large firms and health and safety professionals.
Single copies of Working with VDUs are available free from HSE Books (Tel: 01787 881165).
Copies of Work with display screen equipment, price £8.95, and The law on VDUs: an easy guide, price £8.50, are also available from HSE Books.