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Check list for assessing the safety and comfort of computer workstations

This list is provided so that you can quickly judge the risks associated with using your computer workstation. It has been adapted from the University Code of Practice for the Use of Display Screen Equipment. Basically, the answer should be yes in all cases. If any significant problems with your workstation are identified a formal assessment by a departmental DSE assessor will be necessary.

Screen

• Is the image:
  • clear?
  • stable?
  • free from flicker, jitter and glare?
• Is the angle of the display easily adjustable?
• Is the screen free of reflections and glare?
• Is the height comfortable?

Keyboard

• Has it got a shallow slope (10-15 degrees)?
• Does it feel nice? (Stiff, badly spaced keys?)
• Does it rest firmly on the surface without wobbles and slipping around?
• Do you have a wrist rest if one is considered necessary?
• Is there space (10-20 cm) in front of the keyboard to rest your wrists if you want to?

Desk

• The desk should:
  • Provide sufficient space for individual preferences in arrangements of screen, keyboard, documents, books and ancillary equipment
  • Provide adequate leg clearance and be at a working height which is comfortable to the user
  • have a matt finish to avoid reflection and glare
• Is the desk the right height (>62 cm from underside to floor, work surface 66 - 73 cm from the floor)?
• When sitting comfortably are the lowest keys at about elbow level?
• Is the desk stable?
• Is the leg space free and uncluttered?
• Is the surface matt finished?
• Is the desk deep enough (min 60 cm but 80 cm recommended for all new areas)?
• Is it wide enough (120 cm min but 160 cm recommended)?
• Can you stretch your legs while sitting (60 cm space needed)

Chair

• Does it have back and buttock support?
• Is it stable?
• Does it swivel?
• Is its height adjustable to your needs?
• Does the back adjust (17 - 30 cm) to your needs?
• Is the seat pan depth sufficient (38 - 47 cm)?

Working posture

• Is the distance between the screen and the forehead 35 - 70 cm?
• When looking down at the screen are the eyes cast down by about 15 - 20 degrees? In other words, you should be able to look at the screen in comfort without straining neck muscles!

Document holder

• Is one provided if required?
• The document holder should be stable and adjustable and should be positioned so as to minimise the need for uncomfortable head and eye movement
• Is it adjustable in height and tilt?

Footrest

• If your feet do not touch the ground when sitting is a footrest provided?

Layout

• Is the work area sufficient for the number of people working in the area?
• Is there sufficient space for all your papers around the PC?

Lighting

• Is the lighting suitable for reading paperwork at the Pc without causing glare on the screen?
• Are there blinds on the windows to reduce reflections and glare?

Heating and ventilation

• Is it comfortable for the majority of the time in summer and winter?

Noise

• Are you free of disturbing noise (printers, other clicky keyboards, radios, laughing, etc.)?

General

• Does the PC have an up-to-date electrical safety test label on its power plug?
• Does the power lead look OK?
• Is the area free of trailing cables or floor cables?

Work routine

• Does all your uninterrupted work last < 90 min?
• Is the work organised so that you do not need to work for long periods at the PC

Electrical Hazards

• Plugs and sockets should be positioned in least hazardous positions compatible with room layout. All equipment must be fused at the correct rating.
• Adjustments and repairs, other than those approved by the manufacturers, must be made only by suitably qualified personnel.
• Multi-way 13 amp adaptors should not be used.
• Trailing cables which cause a trip hazard should be covered with a rubber cable cover.

Choice of equipment

Displays have improved a great deal in recent years and eye strain should be less of a problem. If you spend long periods doing work that requires close attention to detail on the screen, insist on a PC which has a screen > 40 cm diagonally and driven by a modern graphics card to give no flicker and a good clear image. Old style bulky monitors have largely been replaced by the new flat screens which have significantly improved the amount of desk space and hence user comfort.

People who wear reading spectacles may benefit from special spectacles with an optimised reading distance set at screen distance rather than the nearer distance commonly adopted for reading.