Unit 4: Computer Safety and Hazards

Unit 4: Specialised Option – Computer Safety

• Lecture Objectives:
  • Assess and reduce hazards/risks of visual display unit (VDU) workstations
  • Safe work practices (breaks, planning, eye tests) when using a computer
  • Safe laptop use
  • Computer safety during servicing/repair
  • Discuss e-waste hazards and recycling barriers
  • Describe product stewardship to minimize e-waste impact

Computer Safety - Use and Disposal

• (i) Assessing and reducing hazards and risks of VDU workstations:
  • Abbreviations:
    • VDU: Visual Display Unit
    • ULD: Upper Limb Disorder
    • RSI: Repetitive Strain Injury
    • OOS: Occupational Overuse Syndrome These terms cover work-related injuries to upper limb muscles/nerves/tendons

Workstation Organization to Prevent Strain Injuries and Stress

• Proper monitor positioning – 18"–24" away (approximately arm's length), 15-30" below eye level
• Avoid direct light shining on screen or eyes
• Forearms at 90° from spine, screen aligned with vision
• Thighs at 90° from spine, use adjustable office chair with armrests
• Use wrist pad when typing, feet flat on floor

Safe Work Practices When Using a Computer

• Breaks: Take regular breaks every hour
  • Relaxation, stretching or talking to someone
• Massage: Massage hands, forearms, and neck muscles
• Environment: Evaluate and improve workspace for stress reduction
• Reactions: Learn to change reactions to unavoidable stress

Safe Work Practices When Servicing/Repairing a Computer

• Safety Precautions:
  • Remove jewelry and secure loose clothing
  • Turn off and unplug equipment before servicing
  • Cover sharp edges with tape
  • Avoid touching hot/high voltage areas
  • Know fire extinguisher location and use
  • Keep workspace clean
  • Bend knees when lifting heavy objects
• Electrical Safety: Follow electrical safety guidelines

Caution:

• CRT Monitors and Power Supplies: Do not wear antistatic wrist straps while repairing. Only experienced technicians should handle these.

The Safe Use of a Laptop

• (Refer to attachment)

• Basic safety guidelines to prevent cuts, burns, electrical shock

• Place fire extinguisher and first-aid kit in workspace

• Secure cables to prevent tripping hazards

Fire Safety

• Prevention: Turn off computer and unplug before repair

• Fire Extinguisher Use:

  • Never fight an uncontrolled or uncontained fire
  • Have a planned escape route
  • Contact emergency services
  • Familiarize yourself with relevant fire extinguisher types in your region

• E-Waste: Hazardous materials in computers and their possible effects on humans

Discuss Hazards of E-Waste and Identify Barriers to Recycling

• Electronic Waste (E-Waste): Old electronic devices (computers, laptops, TVs, phones etc.)

• Categories: Large household appliances, IT/Telecom equipment, Consumer equipment

• Components: Metal, motor/compressor, cooling, plastic, insulation, glass, LCD, rubber, wiring/electrical, concrete, transformer, magnetron, textile, circuit board, fluorescent/incandescent lamps, heating elements, thermostat, brominated flame retardants (BFR), external electric cables, refractory ceramic fibers, radioactive substances, electrolyte capacitors

• Environmental Hazards: Lead, barium, heavy metals leaching into water/ground, air emissions, glass dust, chlorinated plastics releasing chemicals, toxic exposure from production (including extreme pollution from production, toxic chemical exposure during use, fire hazards.)

• Effects on Humans: Anemia, renal toxicity, insomnia, muscle tumors, mental retardation, cerebral palsy, heart problems, obesity, reproductive disease, suppression of immune system, damage to liver & nervous and reproductive systems.

Describe the Concept of Product Stewardship

• Product Stewardship: Managing environmental impacts of products throughout its lifecycle, from design to disposal.
• Shared Responsibility: Ensuring product safety/sustainable practices during all lifecycle phases: supply, manufacture, distribution, use, disposal, recycling
• Lifecycle Thinking: Risk reduction throughout product lifecycle; implementing changes in processes
• Knowledge: Understand health and safety risks of product materials
• Teamwork: Collaboration with experts on lifecycle stages
• Awareness: Tracking updates on risks/safer products
• Innovation: Developing innovations to reduce risks and improve product value
• Management: Continuous improvement through plan-do-check-act cycle
• Integration: Product stewardship as an integral part of all company operations

Practice Questions (Examples)

• Question 1(i): Helpdesk assistance in identifying and resolving computer-related problems for staff
  • Typing-related hand fatigue, screen glare, accessibility issues
• Question 1(ii): Precautions to reduce MS injury related to prolonged laptop use
  • Posture, wrist support, ergonomics, breaks
• Question 1(iii): Methods to prevent back/shoulder/neck strain with frequent laptop use
• Question 2: Definitions and implications of the Basel Convention, hazardous elements in computers, and product stewardship, ENERGY STAR® logo
• Question 3: Barriers to recycling e-waste
• Question 4: Computer/VDU workstation hazards and hazard control techniques

This quiz focuses on the specialized options in computer safety, emphasizing the assessment and reduction of risks associated with visual display unit (VDU) workstations. Learn about safe work practices, the importance of ergonomic setups, and the management of e-waste for sustainable technology usage.