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Wednesday, 3 October 2023

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Employment

Safe computer use

If you use a computer as part of your job either at work or at home, find out about the safe way to use it and how to avoid potential problems. Your employer also has certain responsibilities under health and safety regulations.

Safe computer use

Many people use computers or visual display units (VDUs) as part of their job. Most suffer no ill-effects. VDUs don't give out harmful levels of radiation and rarely cause skin complaints.

If you use one and suffer ill-effects it may be because of the way you are using the computer. For example, you might suffer from strain in the back of the hand due to excessive 'mouse' clicking, or stress or neckache if you use a VDU without a break for a long time. Problems like these can be avoided by a well-designed workstation and job.

Tips on sitting in the right position and arranging your workspace Opens new window

Using a laptop - tips to avoid back, neck and shoulder problems Opens new window

Is your employer responsible?

Under health and safety regulations your employer should:

look at VDU workstations and assess and reduce any risks
make sure that workstations meet safety requirements
plan work so there are breaks or changes in the type of work done
arrange for an eye test if you need one
provide health and safety training and information

These regulations also apply if you are working at home as an employee and using a VDU for a long period of time.

To make sure your work environment is safe, think about the way you use your VDU. If you have concerns you should report them to your employer or employee safety representative if you have one.

Employers' health and safety responsibilities

Health and safety representatives

Entitlement to breaks

There is no legal limit to how long you should work at a VDU, but under health and safety regulations you have the right to breaks from work using a VDU. These don't have to be rest breaks, just different types of work.

Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggests it's better to take shorter breaks more often at your workstation than longer breaks and less often, eg a 5-10 minute break after 50-60 minutes continuous screen and/or keyboard work is likely to be better than a 15 minute break every two hours. But if your job means spending long periods at a VDU, eg data input, then longer breaks from your workstation should be introduced.

When working at a VDU make sure you can sit in a comfortable position, and keep a good posture. Your eyes should be level with the screen. Make sure you have enough space and don't sit in the same position for too long.

If you are disabled, your employer's duty to make reasonable adjustments for you may mean that they will provide you with special computer equipment or alter existing equipment to suit your needs. You can also get advice and maybe help with paying for equipment from your local Jobcentre Plus.

Find your Jobcentre Plus office Opens new window

Rest breaks

Access to Work - practical help at work (disabled people section)

Free eye tests

Studies haven't shown a link between VDU use and damage to eyesight, but if you feel that using a VDU screen is making your eyes tired, tell your employer or employee safety representative.

You have the right to a free eyesight test if you use, or are about to use, a VDU a lot during work hours. You can also get more free tests if recommended by your optician.

If you are prescribed glasses to help you work with a VDU, your employer must pay for a basic pair of glasses, provided they are needed especially for your work.