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Ergonomics and VDU Assessments
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Services > Ergonomics and VDU Assessments
What is ergonomics?
Ergonomics (or human factors) is the application of scientific information concerning humans to the design of objects, systems and environment for human use (definition adopted by the International Ergonomics Association in 2007). Ergonomics is commonly thought of as how companies design tasks and work areas to maximize the efficiency and quality of their employees’ work.
What kind of ergonomic screening do employers need to do?
Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 section 12, General Application of the Regulations 1993 and 2007 and EC Council Directive 90/2270/EEC, employers have a statutory obligation to “evaluate health and safety at workstations with particular reference to eye sight, physical difficulties and mental stress.
Steps must be taken to control any risks to health and safety identified. The employer must:
- Carry out a risk assessment of all workstations, must be carried out by someone with the necessary expertise
- Consult with employees on issues affecting their health and safety
- Identify the employees to whom the VDU Regulations apply
- Provide a suitable environment and workstation equipment for VDU work
- Provide eye tests for employees who are classified as VDU users
- Inform the employees of hazards associated with VDU’s and of what has been done to protect the employee
*A VDU or Visual Display Unit within the scope of the VDU Regulations is an item of display screen equipment such as a computer or microfiche reader. Users are classified as those ‘who habitually use display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work’.
The assessment is carried out by one of HealthForce’s ergonomists in your work environment and each work station is individually assessed. The assessment will establish whether adjustments need to be made for the users at the workstation as well as training and further advice. The workstation assessment will look at all areas of the workstation including the desk, chair, PC and accessories, printers and other equipment relevant to the workstation as well as work space, lighting, heating and ventilation etc.
Vision Screening
Uncorrected vision defects can make work at VDU’s even more tiring and/or stressful.
This screening test is not a test for prescriptive lenses but is more cost effective for employers as it is a screening tool which will highlight those who need further referral to an optician and possible lenses. This test includes monitoring of distance, near and intermediate vision, visual fields, visual acuity colour vision and depth perception. Referral to an optician may be required where defects are highlighted in this test.
How can HealthForce help you?
- Healthforce can offer individual workstation and VDU assessments and group tuition on ergonomics and best known methods of practice.
- Carry out health screening for employees who declare a history of musculo-skeletal problems
- Case management of musculo-skeletal injuries
- Referral for specialist advice and medical intervention where required
What are the benefits of Ergonomics and VDU Assessments?
- Avoid mistakes which will cost employer financially
- Reduce risk of litigation and reduced injury claims
- Reduce the incidence of sickness absence through repetitive strain type injuries and other defects
- Provide baseline health information (on entry and exit to organisation)
- Ensures better productivity of staff through increased operator comfort