COMPUTER HEALTH & SAFETY CHECKLIST

Name of User: _______________________________Location: ______________________________

Department/Section: __________________________Date of assessment: _____________________

Average amount of time spent using computer per working day: ____________________________

Please read these instructions before answering the checklist:

A. Before you carry out the assessment you should read through the general guidance for computer users on the Occupational health
pages on the College intranet, Spectrum. Lap top users should also read the Guidance for laptops. The full list of guidance notes are at
https://www.imperial.ac.uk/spectrum/occhealth/advice/computerhealthindex.htm
B. Please answer all questions. The table below each question lists the different points you need to consider first. The comments on the
left hand side give suggestions on how to resolve problems. You’ll find more details and diagrams in the guidance notes
C. If you are unable to correct a problem yourself, ask your local DSE Assessor for assistance. Your manager/ supervisor should know
who this is or check on Spectrum at https://www.imperial.ac.uk/spectrum/occhealth/advice/computerhealthdseassessor.htm .
D. Once you have completed your assessment, pass it on to your DSE assessor.

1. Have you positioned your equipment to allow you to work comfortably?

Points to check Solutions to try out yourself if ‘No’

Chair ....................................................................Yes ‰ No ‰
ƒ Chair height set so your arms are approximately horizontal See Tip A1 and B3 of Guidance notes for information on Chair height.
when typing. See Tip B4 and B5 of Guidance Notes for information on back support
ƒ Seat tilt adjusted to support your thighs without pressure. from your chair.
ƒ Back adjusted to support the small of your back. Remove or lower chair arms if they are in the way.
ƒ Chair arms shouldn’t stop you getting close to your desk. A different chair may be required in some cases.
ƒ Feet able to rest on the floor – may need foot rest

Monitor ............................................................... Yes ‰ No ‰

ƒ Should be set ‘face on’ to you – Lift or lower the screen and use swivel & tilt mechanism to achieve
ƒ Set the top of screen at your eye height when seated correct viewing angles.
ƒ Screen should be at least 40 cm from the desk edge Place your screen on a stand or PC Base to achieve correct height if
necessary See Figure 2 in guidance notes.

Keyboard ........................................................... Yes ‰ No ‰

ƒ Positioned to be directly in front of you when using it. Try pushing the display screen further back, to create more room for
ƒ Is there space in front to rest your hands? the keyboard, hands and wrists.

Mouse ................................................................. Yes ‰ No ‰

ƒ Use a mouse mat Read through guidance note, The Mouse Trap, for tips on how to use
ƒ Place your mat immediately adjacent to keyboard. your mouse.
ƒ Is there free space to operate without stretching your arm or
your cables snagging?
ƒ Do you have good mouse technique?

2. Do you have sufficient work space to be comfortable?

Chair ............................................. Yes ‰ No ‰

ƒ Is there room to fit and move your legs under the table? Move obstructions from under your desk.

Desktop .............................................................................. Yes ‰ No ‰

ƒ Is there sufficient desk space to place papers for reference See Figure 1 and 2 for diagrams on desk layout.
without having to twist your body? File away or clear off your desk any unnecessary paperwork, books
ƒ Is there sufficient space in front of keyboard to rest hands. etc.
ƒ Other frequently used equipment (telephone, etc.) should
be within easy reach.
Imperial College Occupational Health Service page 1 of 2 Revised August 2005 (May 2003)
COMPUTER HEALTH & SAFETY CHECKLIST

3. Can you read your screen easily? ......................................................................Yes ˆ No ˆ

Your Screen should have: If you have distracting reflections from the screen position the screen so
ƒ Legible, stable characters (no flickering)………………... that it is at 90 degrees to the source of the reflection. See Tip A6 in the
ƒ No distracting reflections off the screen or glare from Guidance notes for diagrams and more information
surrounding environment …………………………………
Adjust the brightness and contrast controls to give you the best picture.
ƒ Ability to adjust screen brightness and contrast
See Tip B8 of Guidance Notes for information.
ƒ A clean surface
To avoid glare problems do not place your screen directly facing a bright
ƒ Adequate desk lighting
window
Avoid touching the screen surface and periodically clean it.
If you feel that your eyesight is the reason for not being able to view your
screen easily, we advise that you have your eyesight tested. See the
‘Eligibility for eye tests’ page of the guidance notes for further information.

4. Is your working environment comfortable?

Temperature, Ventilation & Humidity .... Yes ‰ No ‰ A portable fan may be required for warm environments.
ƒ Is the room temperature comfortable for working in? One or two potted houseplants may help to control low humidity, in
ƒ Do you get enough fresh air? addition to making the room seem pleasant.
ƒ Does the room humidity appear comfortable (ie. Not to See Section C1 of Guidance Notes for information on temperature &
dry, not to damp) humidity.
Noise ........................................................ Yes ‰ No ‰ Noise levels experienced at a work station should not be sufficiently high
ƒ Are noise levels low enough not to interfere with your as to cause unreasonable distraction.
concentration? See Tip C2 of Guidance Notes for information on noise levels.
Light ......................................................... Yes ‰ No ‰ A desk lamp may be required if the lighting in the office is insufficient for
ƒ Is the room lighting bright enough to move around safely? the tasks you are performing.
ƒ Is the lighting for your desk adequate to allow you to read See Section C3 of Guidance Notes for information on lighting.
documents and your keyboard?
Layout of office area ............................... Yes ‰ No ‰ If you find that you frequently bump into certain items they should be
ƒ Is equipment safely positioned to avoid people knocking repositioned so this does not occur.
into it? See Section C4 of Guidance Notes for information.

5. Do you know how to use your software? ..........................................................Yes ˆ No ˆ

ƒ No, I don’t. You should discuss your training needs to your line manager/Supervisor
who will be able to organise the necessary training for you.

6. Have you organised your work to avoid periods of uninterrupted use? .........Yes ˆ No ˆ
ƒ Avoid doing screen based work for longer than 1 hour Intersperse computer work with other tasks. See Tip B1and B2 in
without a break Guidance Notes for more information.

Once completed pass on your form to your DSE assessor

(see https://www.imperial.ac.uk/spectrum/occhealth/advice/computerhealthdseassessor.htm for details.

For DSE assessor use:

Actions required: ________________________________________________________________________________________________
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ˆ Action Completed Signed: _______________________________________ Date: _________________________________

Imperial College Occupational Health Service page 2 of 2 Revised August 2005 (May 2003)