Display screen equipment (DSE) and

manual handling for volunteers

Most volunteers have some knowledge with regard to health and

safety in relation to display screen equipment and manual

handling.

Please take this opportunity to refresh your knowledge in relation

to your volunteering role.

Health hazards

Potential health hazards related to DSE work are upper limb pains

and discomfort in the arm, hand or shoulder.

Sufferers often complain of fatigue, soreness or cramp.

Health issues

Musculoskeletal problems include:

• work related upper limb disorder

• occupational overuse syndrome

• cumulative upper limb disorder

• upper limb disorder

• repetitive strain injury

Risk factors

Musculoskeletal problems risk factors can include:

• desk design and style

• height and/or depth of desk

• restricted access or pedestal height and position

• low keyboard position where the user is unable to rest forearms

or wrists on desk

• poor posture or insufficient leg space beneath desk

Ergonomics of the workstation

chair - angle of trunk posture

Normal range Most frequently observed during

DSE Assessments

Eye discomfort

Staring and looking at the screen for long periods can cause sore

eyes as it affects the eye muscle. This is why regular breaks are

required.

Basic principles of an ergonomic

workstation

Ergonomic elements of a workstation

• chair

• display screen

• keyboard

• desk, workstation layout

• lighting and environment

Suggested layout of work/desk area

Extended Work

Zone, this is

where the

screen should

be and items like

phone, pens,

coffee mug etc.

Intensive Work Zone should contain the keyboard and

mouse. Your keyboard should be place centrally.

Paperwork being referred too should be placed

between the zones or on a documents holder.

EWZ

IWZ

That completes the training session on

working with display screen equipment,

(DSE)

Take a moment to review your workstation and environment. Can

simple improvements be made to reduce the potential hazards

and health risks?

The next part of this training session deals with manual handling.

Manual handling

What does the term ‘manual handling’ mean?

It is any transportation or supporting of a load, including the lifting,

putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving of that load by

hand or by bodily force.

Manual handling operations

regulations 1992

Avoid manual handling as far as is reasonably practicable.

Carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for unavoidable

operations.

Reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable.

Provide details on the weight characteristics of loads.

Review assessments where they are no longer valid or where

there has been significant change.

Manual handling injuries

Injuries can be caused by:

• the actual handling itself

• being struck by an object

• striking an object

• by a fall caused by tripping

Injuries can include: crushing, sprain, strain, laceration, contusion

(bruising) break or fracture.

Injuries can affect the: back, finger/thumb, arm, wrist, lower limb

or torso.

Guidelines for lifting and lowering

Hazards

The hazards related to manual handling are:

• the task

• the load

• the working environment

• an individual’s capability

The task

To control the risks:

• improve task layout

• make more efficient use of the body

• improve the work routine

• use team handling, get someone to assist

• use a trolley if available

• use personal protective equipment, gloves, boots etc

The load

To control the risks, make the load:

• lighter - split the load

• smaller - split the load

• easier to grasp - allow for grip

• more stable with secure contents

• less damaging to hold, no sharp edges

Your volunteering environment

To control the risks:

• remove space constraints

• keep floors clear and free of trip hazards

• keep to one level where possible

• improve the environmental conditions, heat and lighting

• practice good housekeeping, remove out of date unnecessary

materials

Individual capability

When assessing individual capability consider:

• height, to avoid over-stretching or stooping

• strength versus the actual task

• previous or current injuries

• illnesses or debilitating conditions

• pregnancy, especially advanced stages

• general health

Safe lifting

Thank you for completing this training session.

If your volunteering role does involve you in manual handling speak

to your staff contact about a manual handling risk assessment and

training.

Test your knowledge

The next slide contains some questions relating to the slides that

you have just been through. Have a go at answering the

questions to see what you have remembered.

Test your knowledge

1. What does the abbreviation RSI stand for?

2. Fill in the blanks: Workstation chairs should have a ‘…. …..’

base.

3. Fill in the blank: Tasks need to be ‘………’ when considering

carrying out manual handling tasks.

4. Name three types of injuries that can be caused by manual

handling.

5. What should you do with your knees and back when picking up

an object?

Answers

1. RSI stands for repetitive strain injury.

2. Workstation chairs should have a ‘five star’ base.

3. Tasks need to be ‘assessed’.

4. Injuries can include: sprains, strains, lacerations, contusions

(bruises) breaks or fractures.

5. You should bend your knees and keep your back straight

when lifting.

How did you do? If you failed to correctly answer any of the

questions please take the opportunity to go back over the slides

to refresh your memory.

Thank you for completing this short training session. If you have

any questions following completion of this unit please discuss them

with your staff contact.