Health and safety requirements

Whether an employer or computer user, you must be aware of the health and safety implications of using computers. The following is an extract from the Health and Safety Executive about computer screens and eyesight tests for employees. For other information on health and safety in the workplace from the minimum temperature in the workplace to how many first aiders are required in an office and how to compile a health and safety policy, go to www.hse.gov.uk

There is no reliable evidence that work with display screen equipment causes any permanent damage to eyes or eyesight, but it may make users with pre-existing vision defects more aware of them. This (and/or poor working conditions) may give some users temporary visual fatigue or headaches. Uncorrected vision defects can make work at display screens more tiring or stressful than it should be, and correcting defects can improve comfort, job satisfaction and performance. (Note that some display screen work may also require specific visual capabilities such as colour discrimination).

Eye and eyesight test

Regulations require employers to provide users who so request it with an appropriate eye and eyesight test. In Great Britain an 'appropriate eye and eyesight test' means a 'sight test' as defined in the Opticians Act legislation. The test includes a test of vision and an examination of the eye. For the purpose of the Display Screen Equipment Regulations, the test should take account of the nature of the users' work, including the distance at which the screen is viewed. Display screen users are not obliged to have such tests performed but where they choose to exercise their entitlement, employers should offer an examination by a registered ophthalmic optician, or a registered medical practitioner with suitable qualifications ('optometrist' and 'doctor' respectively). (All registered medical practitioners, including those in company occupational health departments, are entitled to carry out sight tests but normally only those with an ophthalmic qualification do so.)

Employers have a duty to ensure the provision of appropriate eye and eyesight tests on request:

(a) To their employees who are already users when the Regulations come into force.
(b) And (thereafter) to any of their non-user employees who are to become users.

Any health problems experienced by staff or volunteers must be reported and taken seriously by managers.

Find out more about other IT issues and examples in the In more depth section.