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GAZETTF
OCTOBER 1992
Keyboards
These must be tiltable and separate
from the screen. There must be
enough space in front for the
operator to rest hands and arms.
They must have a matt, non-
reflective surface. Key symbols must
be clear and legible.
Work Desk or Work Surface
This has to be large and have a non-
reflective surface.
Document Holders
These must be stable and positioned
in such a way as to minimise head
and eye movements.
Work Chair
This must be stable and allow easy
movement. The seat height and the
height and tilt of back must be
adjustable. A footrest must be
available to any employee who wants
one.
Work Environment
Enough space must be provided to
enable operators to change position
and vary movements if they want to.
All lighting both artificial and from
windows, has to be arranged to
minimise glare and to provide
sufficient contrast between the screen
and background environment.
Adjustable blinds must be fitted to
windows. Noise from other
equipment should not disturb speech
or distract attention. Heat and
radiation emissions from equipment
should be kept to a minimum.
Adequate humidity should be
maintained.
Operator/computer interface
Software must be suitable for the
task, easy to use and flexible to the
operator's skill level. N o qualitative
testing must be carried out without
the operator's permission. Systems
must give the workers feedback on
their performance.
Existing standards
Sweden is the front runner in
relation to recommendations
concerning electromagnetic
emissions. Regulations were drawn
up there in 1987 by the Swedish
National Board for Measurement
and Testing ( SAFAD) and were
further refined in 1991. Apparently
there is a higher concentration of
radiation emitted from the back and
sides of the screen than there is from
the front. One of the entrants in the
1991 Aer Lingus Young Scientist of
The Year Exhibition did a study on
this. The conclusion is that where a
number of computer operators are
working in the one office each is
more likely to be affected by
emissions from the sides and backs
of the other computers than by
working in front of his/her own
computer. Studies carried out chiefly
in the US and Canada as well as in
Sweden and the UK are inconclusive
as to the actual harm these emissions
can cause. Even the Swedish
regulations ( MPR 1 (1987) and M P R
11 (1990)) are recommendatory
showing that a doubt still surrounds
the findings following extensive
scientific research into
electromagnetic emissions. Safety
specifications set by the Swedish
Confederation of Professional
Employees ( TCO) are even more
stringent, requiring that monitors
have a special anti-reflective panel
that cuts down on electric fields
emitted from the front of the
monitor. The Germans have
introduced their own standard for
electrical products focusing on
shock, injury, basic ergonomics (as
laid down by the German equivalent
of the UK BS6204, (ZHI/618)), and
have further refined their standards,
grading screens by contrast,
reflection, flicker, very low magnetic
field, electrostatic field, and
alternating field. In addition image
quality is governed by the
international standard ISO 9241 and
the main requirements of the
Swedish M P R 1 and M P R 11 are
also incorporated.
It remains to be seen which
standards and specifications Irish
legislation will follow. In the
meantime, if you are thinking of
buying any office equipment whether
it be desks, chairs, computers, or
whatever, bear in mind the directive
and ask your supplier whether the
equipment complies with the health
and safety guidelines mentioned.
Remember that under the
Framework Directive employers
putting workstations into service for
the first time after 31 December,
1992 must comply with the
requirements. They must analyse the
health and safety risks of
workstations in terms of eyesight,
physical problems and mental stress.
They must do so in consultation
with their staff. They must also train
their staff to use their workstations
safely and in compliance with the
directive.
Those employers with existing
workstations must conform with the
directive before 31 December, 1996.
However, bear in mind the provisions
of the Health and Safety at Work
Act, 1989.
It does not end there. Staff must
have regular breaks from the DSE
and regular eye tests. If staff have to
wear glasses in order to use the
DSE, the employer is obliged to pay
for them.
Further reading/sources
Directives 89/391/EC, 89/654/EC,
89/655/EC, 89/656/EC, 90/269/EC,
90/270/EC, 90/394/EC, 90/679/EC.
Independent, 30-5-90, P. 12.
Official Journal No. L 156, 21-6-90
P. 14.
V DU Hazards Handbook, by Ursula
Huws (1987), published by Hazards
Centre Trust Ltd., Headland House,
308, Gray's Inn Road, London
WC I X 8DS.
The Ergonomics Society, Devonshire
House, Devonshire Square,
Loughborough, Leicestershire LE11
3DW England.
Institute for Occupational
Ergonomics, Nottingham University,
England.
Health and Safety Executive,
Baynards House, 1, Chepstow Place,
London W2 4TE, England.
Non-Statutory Guidelines Issued by
the Department of Labour, Davitt
House, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2.
European Commission, Batiment
Jean Monnet, Rue Alcide de
Gaspari, L.2920, Luxembourg.
European Foundation for the
Improvement of Living and Working
Conditions, Loughlinstown House,
Shankill, Co. Dublin.
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