Seating - Chairs with
adjustable height and back-rest are recommended. When seated
correctly, the lower arms and thighs should be in a roughly
horizontal position while working at the keyboard.
Worktops - A fixed
height between 660-730mm is required (720mm is recommended). A
worktop depth of 760-840 mm is required to give the user
sufficient distance from the screen while working. Matt worktops
in a cream or beige colour are recommended in order to reduce
glare.
Lighting - Windows
should be fitted with non-reflective blinds, preferably beige in
colour. Consideration should be given to positioning of the
screen away from light reflection and glare. The optimum position
is at right angles to the source of natural light.
Screens - All new
screens must be fitted with tilt and swivel stands. Sufficient
room is needed for the screen to be moved back and forward.
Ideally, the top of the screen should be at eye level.
Power supply - Leads
should preferably be in trunking above the height of the worktops
or be safely tied. An adequate number of supply sockets should be
provided to eliminate the need for trailing wires. It is safer to
switch the equipment off at the wall socket or room master switch
rather than 'find' the switches at the rear of the machines.
Mains plugs and leads must be checked for safety once a year.
Fire precautions - A
fire extinguisher suitable for electrical fires (such as carbon
dioxide) must be provided in all computer rooms. The location of
the nearest fire exit must be notified near the door in each room.
Repetitive Strain Injury
- This may be caused by repetitive finger movements over very
long periods of time. It can become quite serious for people
employed solely as keyboard operators. In order to reduce muscle
fatigue and strain, users should be encouraged to get up and move
around at reasonably frequent intervals, for example to collect
equipment, and to do other forms of work.
Eye Strain - In order
to reduce eyestrain, users should be encouraged to look away from
the screen and focus on a distant object from time to time - this
will relax their eye muscles. The wearing of spectacles also
helps prevent possible soreness caused by the bombardment of
ionised dust particles from the screen.