Making an Assessment  Identification of DSE Users Minimum Requirements for Workstations

176 Uncorrected vision defects can make work with a display screen more tiring or stressful than would otherwise be the case.  Fatigue and Stress Many symptoms described by display screen users reflect stresses arising from the users task. They may be secondary to upper limb or visual problems but they are more likely to be caused by poor job design or work organisation, lack of control of the work by the user, under-utilisation of skills, high-speed repetitive working or social isolation.

18.6 Making an Assessment  Identification of DSE Users

The first step is to compile a list of employees who work with DSE, together with information on the tasks they perform and the amount of time they spend using DSE each day. Those employees who habitually use DSE for a significant part of their normal work should be classified as users.  Assessment The second step is to assess users workstations, considering the hardware, the environment, and the factors specific to the individuals use of the equipment should all be considered. Views of the users should be sought as part of the assessment. Simple checklists or proformas can be used to facilitate the assessment process, assist in the identification of remedial measures and also serve as a written record once completed.

18.7 Minimum Requirements for Workstations

The following represent good features that should be found in a typical office workstation see figure.  The screen should normally have adjustments for brightness and contrast. This allows individuals to find a comfortable level for their eyes, helping to avoid the problems of tired eyes and eyestrain. 177  The seat should be stable and adjustable in height and the seat back should be adjustable in height and tilt. A well-designed and correctly adjusted chair encourages good posture, helping to avoid postural fatigue.  The keyboard should normally be tiltable and separate from the screen. This allows users to and a comfortable typing position avoiding fatigue in the arms and hands.  The work surface should be spacious allowing flexible arrangement of equipment. This enables the employee to adopt a number of suitable working positions which assist in the prevention of both postural and visual fatigue.  The document holder should be stable and adjustable. A stable, well positioned document holder will minimise the need for uncomfortable head and eye movements. 178 Source: US Government via Wikimedia Commons Figure 18.4 - Correct Arrangement of an Office Workstation 179

18.8 Administrative Controls  Breaks or Changes in Activity