Revised HSE guidance on VDU use

Earlier this month the HSE published a new edition of its guidance on working with visual display units (VDUs). Workers who use VDUs can suffer from stress, visual discomfort, and aches and pains in the hands, wrists, arms or shoulders.

Over five million people in Britain use VDUs for a significant part of their work. If good working practices are not followed, workers can end up with a variety of musculoskeletal disorders. These problems can be prevented by good workplace and job design and by using the equipment and workstation in the right way.

The guidance takes account of minor changes to the law that came into effect last September, as a result of the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002. It also draws attention to the vital role of employees and safety reps in taking part in risk assessments and reporting any health problems to employers.

* Single copies of Working with VDUs are free from HSE Books, or can be downloaded from: www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf