Answer to Question 2:

Dear Sarah,

Yes, your employer has a duty to allow a competent person to carry out a risk assessment on your workstation. The Legal Obligations in terms of VDU’s are set out in 2007 Regulations, Chapter 5. Please note that this assessment must be carried out on each individual.

You should highlight your issues with your employer who will take steps to reduce the risk.

The risk assessment must include the following factors:

• Chair
• Display screen
• Desk (Glare, reaching,etc.)
• Lighting
• Noise
• Heat, humidity and radiation

Here are some practical tips which may help you:

• Getting comfortable. Adjust your chair and VDU to find the most comfortable position for your work. As a broad guide, your forearms should be approximately horizontal and your eyes the same height as the top of the VDU.
• Make sure you have enough work space to take whatever documents or other equipment you need.
• Try different arrangements of keyboard, screen, mouse and documents to find the best arrangement for you. A document holder may help you avoid awkward neck and eye movements.
• Arrange your desk and VDU to avoid glare, or bright reflections on the screen. This will be easiest if neither you nor the screen is directly facing windows or bright lights. Adjust curtains or blinds to prevent unwanted light.
• Make sure there is space under your desk to move your legs freely. Move any obstacles such as boxes or equipment.
• Avoid excess pressure from the edge of your seat on the backs of your legs and knees. A footrest may be helpful, particularly for smaller users.

Kind Regards,
Paul