The Myths, Mysteries and the
Miracles of Computer Ergonomics
by Roger Coles
IOSH South Coast Branch
9 June 2014
Date:
Objectives
To give members and guests an awareness of workstation
Members and guests should be able to:
Identify indicators of poor posture
Set-up a workstation for a user
Know when to seek professional help
Legislation
Why is there specific legislation covering this very common
and seemingly low risk activity?
Criminal Law
Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974
Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992
Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992
Who are DSE Users
Training requirements for DSE Assessors
Before –
Requirements of workstations (schedule)
Provision of training
Day 1 –
Analysis of workstations
Provision of information
Ongoing-
Daily work routine (breaks)
Eyes and eyesight
Civil Law
Lacy V. Shropshire Career Service – WRULD – £12,367.80
McPherson V. London Borough of Camden – De Quervain’s
Syndrome
– £98,194
Conaty V. Barclays Bank plc – De Quervain’s Syndrome
– £243,792
Where are Real Losses Occurring?
Criminal Law
Minimum requirements
Provision of training
V.
Civil Law
Low efficiency / morale
Lost time
Analysis of workstations
Provision of information
Sick absence
Daily work routine (breaks)
Unnecessary posture aids
Eyes and eyesight
Legal costs – PI claim
DSE Assessor Training
What do we already know?
What do we already know?
Chair Requirements
Are armrests beneficial?
Footrests
When would a user need one?
Keyboards
Which type is best?
Mice
Which type is best?
Posture Set-up Sequence
So that they can get themselves into a stable posture:
• Begin away from the desk
• Building block sequence - one way street
• Mostly about the chair
• What the User feels like at each stage, not what
they look like
Before
After
Where is it going wrong?
Office Squirrels
Think
Thunderbirds!!