Safety Bulletin No. 4 Display Screen Equipment CODE OF PRACTICE ON THE USE OF DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT 1.0 Application 2.0 Aim The following Code of Practice applies to users of Display Screen Equipment. Within the University, users will include mainly, secretarial, clerical and data entry staff. Other staff, including teaching and administrative staff, may be considered to be users if they meet the following criteria: A user is defined as an employee who habitually uses Display Screen Equipment as a significant part of normal work. An employee is also deemed to be a user if most or all of the following seven criteria are satisfied: carrying out the job depends on DSE; there is no discretion as to the use of DSE; significant training and particular skills in the use of DSE are needed; there is continuous use of DSE for spells of an hour or more; use is more or less daily; there is a fast transfer of information between the user and screen; and a high level of concentration is required. The University is required to ensure that this Code of Practice is applied for all DSE users. The code does not apply to casual and infrequent operators although, in so far as practicable and appropriate, the University would wish to see the good practices described in the code adopted for casual and infrequent operators. If there are any questions about the applicability or interpretation of this code, the Health & Safety Adviser should be consulted. This Code of Practice is intended to give guidance to managers and supervisors on the establishment of safe systems of work and a healthy environment where DSE is being or has been introduced. The Code is issued in accordance with Regulations issued in 1993 by the Health & Safety Executive. 3.0 Siting of DSE and Ergonomic/Environmental Factors 3.1 It is essential to consider the installation and siting of DSE, in order that the user can carry out his/her work in comfort and safety.
3.2 Employers are required to assess the workstation for risks to health and safety. Work-station includes work chairs, work desks, work surfaces, document holders and the immediate work environment. 3.3 The following minimum requirements must be met: Display Screen: Well defined characters of adequate size; stable image; easily adjustable brightness and contrast; easily tilting and swivelling screen; no reflective glare. Keyboard: Tiltable and separate from the screen; sufficient space in front of keyboard; matt surface; easy-to-use; adequately contrasted symbols on keys. Work Surface: Sufficiently large and low-reflecting surface; allow a flexible arrangement of equipment; adequate space. Work Chair: Stable, allowing user easy movement and comfortable position; adjustable height (seat); adjustable height and tilt (seat-back); footrests available on request. Space: Designed to allow user to change positions. Lighting: Satisfactory lighting conditions; appropriate contrast between screen and background; prevention of glare through positioning of artificial lighting. Reflections: Positioning must prevent sources of light, such as windows, from causing distracting reflections on the screen. Noise: Must not cause distraction of attention or disturbance of speech. Heat: Must not produce excess heat causing discomfort. Radiation: The results of tests to date have shown that emitted levels of radiation are insignificant and not harmful. The Health and Safety Executive has issued a statement which indicates that DSE does not present a hazard to users due to radiation. Humidity: Establishment and maintenance of an adequate level. Software and Systems: Software must be suitable for the task and easy to use following appropriate training. No qualifications or qualitative checking facility may be used without user s knowledge (i.e. there cannot be checks on a user s work rate or quality built into the software unless this is bought to the attention of the user); principles of software ergonomics must be applied.
4.0 Work Routine 4.1 Employers have a duty to plan work activities so that the user s daily DSE work is periodically interrupted by changes in activity or breaks, so that screen-based work can be combined with non-screen based work. 4.2 In the case of user s whose primary role is DSE input (e.g. data input clerk, but normally not secretarial, general clerical staff or switchboard operators) where there is no non-screen based work available, breaks should be: taken before the onset of fatigue; included in working time, reducing the workload and not leading to an increased compensatory pace of work; short and frequent rather than longer and occasional; away from the screen, if possible; informal rather than formal; and to allow the user some control of the pace of work. 4.3 Where user s are involved in data input or retrieval or word processing, they should only operate DSE for 50 minutes in each hour, allowing 10 minutes for work variation or breaks. 5.0 Eyes and Eyesight 5.1 Available evidence suggests that DSE operation is very unlikely to have direct effect upon eyes and eyesight. However, as with other clerical tasks, DSE work may reveal existing eyesight deficiencies. 5.2 Where an employee is a DSE user or, where they are about to take up such work, the University will arrange an eye test if requested by the employee and authorised by the Supervisor. Such tests must be arranged through the Health & Safety Adviser. 5.3 Where, under these procedures, lenses are specifically prescribed to give correct focus of vision when operating the DSE at the normal operating distance, the University will pay for the cost of such spectacles to include test and reports, lenses, basic frames and tints to lenses if necessary. If other than the basic specified frames are requested by the DSE user all additional costs resulting from this must be paid for by the user. 5.4 It should be noted that if the Optician determines that spectacles are required by the user for normal day to day use, the costs of these will not be covered by the University and the DSE user must make their own arrangements for the supply of these and will be responsible for the full cost.
5.5 Where the Optician determines that there are sight difficulties which cannot be rectified, the matter should be referred to the Deputy Director of Personnel. 5.6 The above provisions apply to DSE users only. Where it is not clear whether or not a DSE operator is to be regarded as a user the Health & Safety Adviser should be consulted. 6.0 Other Considerations 6.1 Facial Dermatitis, Migraine, Epilepsy, Photicsensitivity or Diabetes: Users should be informed that if they suffer from any of the above they should seek medical advice before using DSE. The Personnel Services Department is available for this purpose and the Employee Relations Manager can make the necessary arrangements. 6.2 Drugs: Users should be informed of the fact that drugs such as Librium, Valium and Alcohol affect speed of eye movements. This increases the likelihood of eyestrain. 6.3 Pregnant Staff Operating DSE: The Medical Division of the Health and Safety Executive have been consulted concerning possible reproduction hazards for women operating DSE. They can see no reason for advising pregnant women against operating DSE. In the event that users have questions in such circumstances, the Deputy Director of Personnel will advise Heads of School/Departments. 6.4 Noise: Some DSE tasks requiring sustained concentration are likely to be disrupted by noise. This is often caused by printers. The siting of printers away from the user, or sound proofing, if necessary, are possibilities that should be considered. Purchase of well designed printers can overcome these problems at source. 7.0 Training Employees who are affected or likely to be affected by the introduction of DSE should be provided with proper training and the Staff Development & Training Manager can advise on this. This training should include the issues covered in these Notes of Guidance and access to these should be made available to employee.
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON INTERNAL MEMORANDUM FROM: TO: Head of School/Department Frank Collins Health & Safety Adviser DATE: REF: FC/CAH/WM200 HEALTH AND SAFETY (DISPLAY SCREEN) REGULATIONS 1992 EYE TESTS The following person(s) requires an eye test in accordance with the Health and Safety (Display Screen) Regulations 1992:-.... Please would you arrange for an eye test to be carried out. Heads are reminded that it is a requirement of the DSE Regulation that a risk assessment of the workstation with respect to the user be carried out. This is not a time consuming task and assessments forms and advice are available from the Health and Safety office. Signed Head of School/Department School/Department This form and other Display Screen Equipment information is also available on the Internet from the Health & Safety Homepage.
Safety Bulletin No. 5 Asbestos Policy & Procedure UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON 1.0 POLICY STATEMENT ON ASBESTOS 1.1 Asbestos is common to most buildings built prior to 1980 and is still used in the manufacture of some building materials. However, since the discovery that inhalation of air borne asbestos fibres contributed a hazard to health, strict control over its handling and use have come into force. The Health and Safety Commission have formulated Regulations and Approved Codes of Practice for the health and safety for persons working with or affected by asbestos at the workplace. 1.2 Provided asbestos remains undisturbed and is not in a friable condition, it does not constitute a hazard. Only when a material containing asbestos is moved, becomes damaged or has deteriorated in such a way that fibres are released into the air, is a danger created. 1.3 It is the policy of the University of Wolverhampton to leave asbestos undisturbed provided that it is correctly sealed by a bonding material. It follows however, that all members of staff should be aware of the dangers and observe caution when disturbing the fabric of our buildings. They should also know what to do in the event of discovering material suspected of containing asbestos, particularly in the case of pipe insulation, partitioning or ceiling tiles. (See Section A of the Guidance Note, attached). 1.4 The Estates Department and the Safety Adviser are aware of certain areas throughout the University where asbestos is present. These are marked and regular inspections are carried out to ensure it is properly sealed and contained. Each year a significant proportion of asbestos material is removed in order to carry out other remedial work or refurbishment. However, this is kept to a minimum because of the high cost of removal by recommended contractors. When removal does take place, it is carried out in accordance with Section B of the Guidance Notes attached. Professor John Brooks Vice Chancellor
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON ASBESTOS IN UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT PREMISES GUIDANCE NOTES FOR WORK INVOLVING ASBESTOS CONTAINING MATERIALS These guidance notes have been prepared having regard to the management structures which exist in University establishments, current legislation and good practice. Important: ALL STAFF are reminded that no one is permitted to carryout any work on the fabric or services in any buildings without the express permission of the Estates Department. SECTION A Action on Discovering Asbestos Containing Material 1. On discovering damaged or friable material within the fabric of the building which is suspected of containing asbestos, the Dean of School/Head of Department (or his/her nominee) of the location should take the following immediate action: 1.1 Evacuate the area and, if possible, lock it off and erect notices prohibiting access. If the suspect material is in a corridor it may be necessary to evacuate all the rooms served by that corridor. 1.2 Telephone the Health and Safety Adviser on ext. 1264 and the Estates Manager/Buildings Officer. In their absence the Campus Manager should be informed. 2. The Estates Manager will arrange for the site to be inspected. 3. The Estates Manager will: 3.1 Inspect the damaged material 3.2 If the composition is in doubt have material sampled and identified by the School of Applied Sciences. 3.3 If the composition of the material is not in doubt, issue Asbestos Form C to the Campus Manager and the Dean of School/Head of Department who must then inform the appropriate Safety Representative using Asbestos Form B and allow the area to be taken back into use. 3.4 If asbestos is present, the Estates Manager/Buildings Officer will arrange for remedial work to be carried out by an approved contractor. 3.5 If, after sampling, it is established that asbestos is not present, contact the Health and Safety Adviser, Dean of School/Head of Department, Campus Manager and then confirm in writing, using Asbestos Form C. The Dean
4. The Dean of School/Head of Department, the Campus Manager and the Union Representative for that location will be kept informed of all aspects of the work, in particular the date the contractor is due to start. The contractor will report to the Estates Department who will inform the Dean of School/Head of Department of the location, or his/her representative. The Dean of School/Head of Department must then inform the appropriate Union Safety representatives. 4.1 Materials which have only minor damage will have their surfaces resealed. Severely damaged asbestos will be removed and replaced with a non-asbestos substitute. All work will be carried out under controlled conditions by a University approved contractor specialising in asbestos removal, in accordance with Health and Safety Executive documents: a) Approved Code of Practice and Guidance Notes entitled Work with Asbestos Insulation and Asbestos Coating and Asbestos Insulating Board, or b) Guidance Notes EH37 Work with Asbestos Insulating Board, or c) Guidance Note EH36 Work with Asbestos Cement. 5. At the end of the remedial work, the area will be thoroughly cleaned, by the contractor, then inspected and air tested by a qualified occupational hygienist. The air test will be carried out whilst attempting to recreate the normal degree of air disturbance. 5.1 Airborne fibre counts will be made by the optical microscopy technique, in accordance with H.S.E Guidance Note EH10, by a competent participant in the Regular Inter-laboratory Counting Exchange (R.I.C.E.) scheme. 5.2 If the clearance inspection is satisfactory then the area will be handed back to the Dean of School/Head of Department, who must also inform the Campus Manager and the Union Safety Representative using Asbestos Form B. 6. Where readings are found to be unsatisfactory, the area affected is to remain closed, whilst being cleaned. The area will then be inspected and air tested again. The results will be made available to the Health & Safety Adviser who will inform the Convenors. 6.1 Where areas continue to show elevated fibre levels, air samples will be analysed by electron microscopy in order to identify asbestos fibres conclusively. The results of this analysis will be made available to the Health and Safety Adviser who will inform the Convenors using Asbestos Form B. 7. Where the area is deemed to be free from asbestos contamination, a copy of the clearance certificate will be sent, by the Health & Safety Adviser to the Convenor.
8. A list of all staff and students present in the area at the time the Asbestos was damaged is to be compiled by the Dean of School/Head of Department and forwarded to the Health & Safety Adviser. This list will be kept for 30 years. SECTION B Planned Work 1.0 Normal Planned Work 1.1 Before any planned works are carried out within buildings, detailed specifications are drawn by the Estates Manager and/or Buildings Officer. Depending on the nature and the scope of the work the Health & Safety Adviser will be consulted. The possibility of encountering asbestos will always be considered. 1.2 The Estates Manager will instruct contractors that they must not disturb materials suspected of containing asbestos that they must report the presence of such materials to the University s Health & Safety Adviser immediately who will arrange for bulk samples to be taken and identified, before further work is permitted. Sample collections and analysis will be carried out by the School of Applied Sciences. 2.0 Planned Work Involving Asbestos 2.1 Whenever asbestos containing materials are involved, the Estates Manager will inform the Health & Safety Adviser, Dean of School/Head of Department, and Campus Manager in writing, when work will commence, the name of the contractor and the Clerk of Works, if applicable using Asbestos Form A. 2.2 All contractors will report tot he estates Manager/Buildings Officer on arrival at the location. 2.3 All work with asbestos containing material is to be carried out in accordance with Health and Safety Executive documents: a) Code of Practice and Guidance Note entitled Work with Asbestos Insulation and Asbestos Coating and Asbestos Insulating Board, or b) Guidance Note EH37 entitled Work Asbestos Insulating c) Guidance Note EH36 entitled Work with Asbestos Cement.
2.4 At the end of the planned work, the area will be thoroughly cleaned by the contractor, then inspected and air tested by a qualified occupational hygienist. 2.4.1 Airborne fibre counts will be made by the optical microscopy technique, in accordance with H.S.E Guidance Note EH10, by a competent participant in the Regular Inter-Laboratory Counting Exchange (R.I.C.E) scheme. 2.4.2 Analysis results will be forwarded to the Estates Manager who will notify the Health & Safety Adviser. 2.4.3 If the clearance inspection is satisfactory, the areas will be handed back to the Dean of School/Head of Department of the location, who must also inform the Union Safety Representatives using the work progress forms (Asbestos Form B). 2.5 Where readings are found to be unsatisfactory, the area affected is to remain closed whilst being recleaned. The area will then be inspected and air tested again and the results made available to the Safety Officer who will inform the convenors using Asbestos Form B. 2.6 Where the area is deemed to be free from asbestos contamination, a copy of the clearance certificate will be sent by the Health & Safety Adviser to the convenors.
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON MATERIALS CONTAINING ASBESTOS ASBESTOS FORM A From: Estates Manager Serial No: Date:.. Dean of School/Head of Department:.. Location:.. Address:.. Type of Work:... Contractor:.. Start Date: Likely Duration of contract:. Possible closures of the following areas until further notice 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Emergency Telephone no. Copies to: Health & Safety Adviser Campus Manager Dean of School/Head of Department Safety Representatives/Convenor To Be Detached and Returned to the Estates Manager Materials containing asbestos Asbestos Form A Serial No.. I have received the above details and will comply with the Estates Manager s request stated hereon. Signed:..Date:.. (Dean of School/Head of Department)
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON PROGRESS REPORT ON WORK INVOLVING ASBESTOS ASBESTOS FORM B Name of Establishment: From: To: Dean of School/Head of Department Health & Safety Adviser Campus Manager Safety Representative/Convenor I have been informed that.... Signed:..Date:. (Dean of School/Head of Department)
UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON MATERIALS SUSPECTED OF CONTAINING ASBESTOS ASBESTOS FORM C From: Estates Manager Serial No: Date:. Premises & Address: Dean of School/Head of Department:. Location of suspected materials 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. The above materials are free from asbestos content. Copies to: Dean of School/Head of Department Health & Safety Adviser Campus Manager Unison/NATFHE Safety Representative Signed:.Date:
Safety Bulletin No 6 Portable Appliance Testing CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE REGISTRATION, INSPECTION & TESTING OF PORTABLE ELECTRIC EQUIPMENT 1. Introduction In order to comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, made under the Health & Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, the University has prepared this Code of Practice to embrace the registration of portable electrical equipment and the carrying out of periodic inspections and tests of such equipment. 2. Definition of Procedure The procedure requires that all portable electrical equipment used within the University, other than that owned by students and used in hostels, be inspected and tested by a nominated competent person to a predetermined programme, the frequency of which is laid out below. Any School/Department undertaking to carry out such testing will nominate one or more Responsible officers to co-ordinate the registration, inspection, testing and recording of the whole operation. All items will then carry a registration number and a test label with an expiry date of the period for which it is certified for service. No equipment should be used after the stated expiry date. If an item of equipment is considered to be defective in any way, it should be reported to the Responsible Officer who will remove the test label, withdraw the equipment from service and arrange for it to be inspected, repaired and retested. 3. Definition of Portable Electrical Equipment All electrical appliances capable of easy transportation between two points by an individual and powered by plugging into a 110v or 240v socket outlet. 4. Definition of Persons Competent Person There are 2 levels of competence namely: a) A person who has attended and passed a course of instruction organised by the University Health & Safety Adviser for portable appliance testing and certification. b) A qualified and experienced electrician who has completed the 16 th Edition IEE Regulation for electrical Installation Course. Qualification
will be to City & Guilds Electrical Installation Competence 236 Pt I and II or equivalent with a minimum of 3 years experience postqualification. The former will be competent to carry out tests only. The latter will be competent to carry out both tests, and repairs to designated portable equipment. Responsible Officer A Responsible Officer will be the person nominated by the Dean of any School/Head of Department who wishes to set up a Testing Service. The service may apply only to that specific School or Department or may be offered to other Schools or Departments. The Officer will maintain a Register of Equipment for the School/Department for which he/she has assumed responsibility and will co-ordinate the registration, inspection and testing. All members of staff within the University are deemed to be capable of making a visual inspection of a piece of equipment before using it and should report any defect immediately to the Responsible Officer. 5. Testing of Portable Electrical Equipment Testing will be carried out only by competent persons as defined in paragraph 4. Persons competent to test will not necessarily be competent to carry out a repair. Repairs must only be carried out by persons or bodies competent to do so. The competent person will carry out such test as are necessary to ensure that the equipment is electrically safe in accordance with GS 23 Electrical Safety in Schools and PM 32 Safe Use of Portable Electrical Equipment. 6. General Notes a) All newly purchased equipment must have been passed suitable for service and registered with the responsible person prior to being placed into service. b) Personal equipment may only be used on University Property or on University business if it has been approved by the Dean of School/Head of Department and has been tested and registered. c) Equipment may only be transferred or loaned to another School/Department if it has a current test label. Refer all other circumstances to the University Health & safety Adviser.
7. Application of the Regulations It will be the duty of each Dean of School/Head of Department to ensure that suitable arrangements are made to comply with this Code of Practice. This may be achieved in one of three ways: a) The setting up of an organisation within the School/Department to record and test all appliances used therein. b) To buy in the services of another University School/Department who will undertake such duties. c) To buy in external expertise to carry out the duties. Any School/Department wishing to establish such a facility should, I the first instance, forward a detailed procedure document in line with this Code of Practice, together with a list of Competent Persons, to the University Health & Safety Adviser. The Health & Safety Adviser will, if satisfied, approve the proposals, if not satisfied he will reject them stating his reasons for so doing. Schools/Departments who intend to use the services of an approved organisation within the University will inform the Health & Safety Adviser accordingly. If the School/Department are intent on using an outside agency, this arrangement must be subject to the agreement of the Health & Safety Adviser and the Estates Manager.