Health and Safety

and the use of ICT

systems
AQA Unit 1
Section 1

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
Health & Safety Problems
 Workers who use computers for long
periods of time are susceptible to health
problems.
 Many of these problems are avoidable.

 You need to be aware of what the problems

are and how they can be avoided

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
Repetitive Strain Injury
 Symptoms include stiffness and swelling in the wrists
and other joints.
 RSI occurs if:
1. Users are carrying out repetitive tasks
2. Have positioned the keyboard so that they are at an
awkward angle.
3. Are squeezing a mouse too tightly.
4. TUC data shows that 78% of younger workers have
jobs that involve repetition and more that 2 million
workers are forced to work in awkward positions.

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
How to reduce RSI
1. Using a wrist guard whilst typing.
2. Ensuring users vary their work so they are not always
in the same position
3. Using specially designed “ergonomic” keyboards

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
Case Study [RSI]
 In 2006, 8 yr-old Isabelle Taylor from Lancashire,
developed RSI after sending up to 30 texts a day for 2
years.
 Experts said that youngsters who overuse gadgets
can suffer inflammation in the upper arms and wrists
adding that the thumb is particularly susceptible.

 What advice would you give to Isabelle’s mother to

reduce the risk of damage to her daughter’s health?

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
Back Problems
 Sitting at a computer for a long period of time can lead
to back problems.
 The symptoms are back pain or stiffness, possibly in
the neck and shoulders.
 Back Pain occurs if:
1. Users use PCs for a long period of time
2. Adopt a bad posture
3. Have their seat at an incorrect height.

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
How to prevent back problems
 Largest cause of disability amongst workers in offices.

1. Having an ergonomically, adjustable swivel chair that

supports the lower back.
2. Adjusting the chair to the correct height.
3. Adjusting the VDU to the correct position
4. Using a footrest
5. Taking regular breaks [5 minutes every hour]

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
Case study [back problems]
 “Bad posture while sitting at a computer is
more likely to lead to back pain than lifting and
carrying heavy objects” say the British
Chiropractic Association.

 What should an employer in an office based

environment, provide to its staff in order to
prevent back problems?

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
Eye strain
 Looking at a computer screen for a long time
can lead to eye strain.
 The symptoms can include headaches and
sore eyes
 Eye strain occurs if:
1. Lighting in the room is at the wrong level
2. The VDU is of poor quality and flickers
3. Text is too small to read easily.

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
How to prevent [Eye strain]
 Having suitable lighting
 Fixing screens so they don’t flicker
 Having appropriate blinds on windows to
prevent glare
 Having regular eye tests to ensure vision is
corrected

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
Epilepsy
 Flickering screens can contribute to the
frequency of attacks

 The use of low emission monitors and screen

filters is likely to reduce the risk of triggering
an attack

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
Stress
 9 out of 10 users say they are regularly
annoyed by a computer related issue.
 Issues include:
1. Slow performance
2. System crashes
3. Viruses
4. Pop-up ads

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
How to prevent [Stress]
 Install correct hardware that is capable of
meeting tasks
 Having a reliable support team
 Providing users with adequate support and
training
 Going for a short walk to get fresh air.

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
Health, Safety and YOU!
 During this course, you will be using computer
equipment for long periods of time.
 You should:
 Give yourself a 5 minute break every hour
 Focus on a distant object every so often and
then back to the screen
 Ensure that you are not too cramped or sitting
awkwardly.

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
 NB: these regulations only
apply to staff in offices and
Legislation not to students in
schools/colleges

 Covered in Health and Safety Regulations

1992
 Employers must take these measures:
1. Provide adjustable chairs
2. Provide screens that can be tilted
3. Provide anti glare filters if requested
4. Ensure work stations are not too cramped
5. Ensure room lighting is suitable
6. On request, provide and pay for eye tests for
computer users.

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams
Design of New Software
 Designers need to be aware of users health
when they design software.
 Screen layouts should be clear so that eye strain is
minimised
 Colour schemes should not be too bright and should
have good contrast to prevent eye strain
 Help facilities should enable learning to prevent stress
 Menu systems should be logical to prevent stress
 Drop down lists can reduce data entry so prevent RSI

tcowling 2009 based on Mott, Leaming &

Williams