Health and Safety at Computer Workstations

Post-production work such as editing a school prom video, colour grading or mixing audio can keep you at a computer for hours at a time. Doing that day after day can lead to aching backs and necks, headaches and repetitive strain injury (RSI), where the wrists, hands and shoulders ache from repeating the same small movements like clicking and typing.

What employers must do

An employer must carry out a risk assessment of the workstations their employees use, and act on what it finds. They must also:

• build in frequent screen breaks so nobody stares at a monitor for hours without stopping
• pay for an eye test if an employee requests one
• train staff in how to set up and use their own workstation safely

What the assessment checks

A workstation risk assessment might check that light from windows or ceiling lamps is not bouncing off the monitor as glare or reflections, that the display does not flicker, that the size of the text on screen is comfortable to read, and that monitors are kept clean and free of dust. It should be reviewed whenever someone new joins the team or fresh equipment is brought in, for example when an editor is given a second, larger monitor.

Setting up and working safely

Training covers correct body alignment: sitting with a straight back and keeping your arms horizontal when typing. Safe practice means adjusting your chair height and seating position, setting the screen at a suitable distance, placing the keyboard and mouse comfortably, and raising or lowering your desk or display until the screen is at a comfortable height. Anyone editing sound through headphones or speakers should keep the volume low enough that it cannot damage their hearing.