Module 3 Health & Safety Training DSE and manual handling for volunteers

2. Display screen equipment (DSE) and
manual handling for volunteers
Most volunteers have some knowledge with regard to health and
safety in relation to display screen equipment and manual
handling.
Please take this opportunity to refresh your knowledge in relation
to your volunteering role.

3. Health hazards
Potential health hazards related to DSE work are upper limb pains
and discomfort in the arm, hand or shoulder.
Sufferers often complain of fatigue, soreness or cramp.

4. Health issues
Musculoskeletal problems include:
• work related upper limb disorder
• occupational overuse syndrome
• cumulative upper limb disorder
• upper limb disorder
• repetitive strain injury

5. Risk factors
Musculoskeletal problems risk factors can include:
• desk design and style
• height and/or depth of desk
• restricted access or pedestal height and position
• low keyboard position where the user is unable to rest forearms
or wrists on desk
• poor posture or insufficient leg space beneath desk

6. Ergonomics of the workstation
chair - angle of trunk posture
Normal range Most frequently observed during
DSE Assessments

7. Eye discomfort
Staring and looking at the screen for long periods can cause sore
eyes as it affects the eye muscle. This is why regular breaks are
required.

8. Basic principles of an ergonomic
workstation

9. Ergonomic elements of a workstation
• chair
• display screen
• keyboard
• desk, workstation layout
• lighting and environment

10. Suggested layout of work/desk area
Extended Work
Zone, this is
where the
screen should
be and items like
phone, pens,
coffee mug etc.
Intensive Work Zone should contain the keyboard and
mouse. Your keyboard should be place centrally.
Paperwork being referred too should be placed
between the zones or on a documents holder.
EWZ
IWZ

11. That completes the training session on
working with display screen equipment,
(DSE)
Take a moment to review your workstation and environment. Can
simple improvements be made to reduce the potential hazards
and health risks?
The next part of this training session deals with manual handling.

12. Manual handling
What does the term ‘manual handling’ mean?
It is any transportation or supporting of a load, including the lifting,
putting down, pushing, pulling, carrying or moving of that load by
hand or by bodily force.

13. Manual handling operations
regulations 1992
Avoid manual handling as far as is reasonably practicable.
Carry out suitable and sufficient risk assessments for unavoidable
operations.
Reduce the risk of injury so far as is reasonably practicable.
Provide details on the weight characteristics of loads.
Review assessments where they are no longer valid or where
there has been significant change.

14. Manual handling injuries
Injuries can be caused by:
• the actual handling itself
• being struck by an object
• striking an object
• by a fall caused by tripping
Injuries can include: crushing, sprain, strain, laceration, contusion
(bruising) break or fracture.
Injuries can affect the: back, finger/thumb, arm, wrist, lower limb
or torso.

15. Guidelines for lifting and lowering

16. Hazards
The hazards related to manual handling are:
• the task
• the load
• the working environment
• an individual’s capability

17. The task
To control the risks:
• improve task layout
• make more efficient use of the body
• improve the work routine
• use team handling, get someone to assist
• use a trolley if available
• use personal protective equipment, gloves, boots etc

18. The load
To control the risks, make the load:
• lighter - split the load
• smaller - split the load
• easier to grasp - allow for grip
• more stable with secure contents
• less damaging to hold, no sharp edges

19. Your volunteering environment
To control the risks:
• remove space constraints
• keep floors clear and free of trip hazards
• keep to one level where possible
• improve the environmental conditions, heat and lighting
• practice good housekeeping, remove out of date unnecessary
materials

20. Individual capability
When assessing individual capability consider:
• height, to avoid over-stretching or stooping
• strength versus the actual task
• previous or current injuries
• illnesses or debilitating conditions
• pregnancy, especially advanced stages
• general health

21. Safe lifting
Thank you for completing this training session.
If your volunteering role does involve you in manual handling speak
to your staff contact about a manual handling risk assessment and
training.

22. Test your knowledge
The next slide contains some questions relating to the slides that
you have just been through. Have a go at answering the
questions to see what you have remembered.

23. Test your knowledge
1. What does the abbreviation RSI stand for?
2. Fill in the blanks: Workstation chairs should have a ‘…. …..’
base.
3. Fill in the blank: Tasks need to be ‘………’ when considering
carrying out manual handling tasks.
4. Name three types of injuries that can be caused by manual
handling.
5. What should you do with your knees and back when picking up
an object?

24. Answers
1. RSI stands for repetitive strain injury.
2. Workstation chairs should have a ‘five star’ base.
3. Tasks need to be ‘assessed’.
4. Injuries can include: sprains, strains, lacerations, contusions
(bruises) breaks or fractures.
5. You should bend your knees and keep your back straight
when lifting.

25. How did you do? If you failed to correctly answer any of the
questions please take the opportunity to go back over the slides
to refresh your memory.

26. Thank you for completing this short training session. If you have
any questions following completion of this unit please discuss them
with your staff contact.