Health and Safety, Environment
1.6.1 Ergonomics1.6.1.1 Understand what elements and practices can help create a good,
working environment such as: appropriate positioning of monitors,
keyboards and adjustable chairs, use of a mouse mat, use of a monitor
filter, provision of adequate lighting and ventilation, frequent breaks
away from the computer.
Good working practices
• Includes the following:
Your chair:
Your chair should be fully adjustable, and be able to be moved up or down. It should
have an adjustable back.
Your screen:
Your screen should be fully adjustable so that your eyes are at the same height as the
top of the screen. You may wish to use a filter attached to the screen to reduce glare. If
the screen is badly focused, too bright or appears to flicker, then get a qualified
technician to take a look at it. You should periodically refocus into the distance, as
opposed to always gazing at a screen a few inches from your eyes.
Your keyboard:
Use a good keyboard and you may also wish to use a wrist pad to relieve pressure on
your wrists.
Your feet:
You may wish to use a footpad to rest your feet while using the computer.
Your mouse:
Use a mouse mat to make the mouse easier to use. Ensure that you have enough space
to comfortably use the mouse. If your arms or fingers become tired or painful when using
the mouse, take a break and do something else.
Breaks:
Take frequent breaks when using a computer.
Other factors:
Make sure that the area where you are using the computer is adequately lit and well
ventilated. Ventilation is especially important if you are using a laser printer, which may
produce ozone when printing.
1.6.2 Health Issues
1.6.2.1 List some common health problems which can be associated
with using a computer such as: injuries to wrists caused by prolonged
typing, eye strain caused by screen glare, back problems associated
with poor seating or bad posture.
Using a computer incorrectly can damage your health
• Take regular breaks, have regular eye tests and get a good desk and chair to maintain
good posture.
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
• Often referred to as RSI. This is a condition caused by constant use of the keyboard or
mouse. You should take regular breaks to help avoid this type of injury. You may want to
consider the use of a pad on which you can rest your arms, which will help to some
extent.
More information: http://www.rsi-center.com
Glare from screens
• You should take regular breaks to avoid staring constantly at the screen and straining
your eyes. You should consider using the best (i.e. most expensive) monitor which you
or your company can afford. The better the monitor the better the screen resolution and
the higher the refresh rate. For detailed work, you should also consider using a large
screen rather than the 'standard' 14" or 15" screens which are in common use. In many
countries, your employer has a legal duty to pay for eye tests for employees as and
when they request it. You can get filters which fit in front of the screen and reduce glare.
Bad posture
• When sitting at your computer you should have a monitor at eye level which can be
adjusted to suit you. In addition, you may want to consider a footrest. Neck ache and
backache can result from prolonged bad posture.
1.6.3 Precautions
1.6.3.1 List some safety precautions when using a computer such as:
ensuring power cables are safely secured, power points are not
overloaded.
Make sure that cables are safely secured
• You should always use the power cables which were supplied with your computer or
cables of a similar quality. Make sure that the cables are safely secured at the back of
the desk and that you have power points located near the desk. If your desk has a cable
ducting system make sure that you use it. Avoid long trailing cables as you or other
people can easily trip over them and cause injury to yourself or others. Apart from
personal injury, accidentally pulling out a power cable could cause your computer to lose
power and you will lose data as a result. Network cables tend to be delicate and easily
damaged and the most common cause of failure to log onto a network server is that
someone has accidentally dislodged or damaged the network cables.
Make sure that power points are not overloaded
• Overloading of a power point is dangerous and a potential fire hazard. If you need more
power sockets, have them properly installed by a qualified electrician.
1.6.4 The Environment
1.6.4.1 Be aware that recycling printed outputs, recycling printer toner
cartridges, using a monitor which consumes less power while the
computer is inactive can help the environment.
Computers and the environment
• You should have a separate bin for paper which can be sent for recycling (be sure that
sensitive material is first shredded).
Printer toner cartridges can be sent for recycling; in fact some charities now collect spent
toner cartridges, and send them for recycling. You may also wish to consider the use of
recycled toners in your printers (but be aware that in some cases this may invalidate the
printer’s guarantee).
Many monitors and other peripherals will automatically switch into 'sleep' mode after a
period of inactivity. This means that even though the computer is still switched on, it will
consume less power.
1.6.4.2 Understand that using electronic documents can help reduce the
need for printed materials.
Don’t Waste Paper
• Where possible the use of on-screen manuals and help systems, rather than printed
manuals, will save on the amount of paper consumed. This equates to less trees being
cut down.