Ensure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety

1.1 Define hazards and risks & 1.2 Outline key hazards and risks in own workplace, describing safe working practices.

For Unit 6 my fellow apprentices and I created and a short video to define and outline hazards and risks in our own workplaces while responding with solutions to prevent any accidents from happening.

1.3 Outline key hazards and risks within own job role, describing precautions.

Staring at a VDU (Visual Display Unit) such as a computer monitor during work hours usually eight hours a day 260 days a year and on top of that going home and spending more time infront of the computer plus time spent using the computer on weekends. This long term exposure to VDU is thought to cause eye damage or eye strain but according to research and information provided by youreyeguide.co.uk eye strain is a result of overusing computers. I have suffered from eye strain myself and the good news is that it isn't too serious and it is preventable by making a few small adjustments to the environment and VDU setting if needed. 

Here are a few precautions to consider when using VDU's

• Ensure there is plenty of light entering the room
• Eliminate or minimise reflections on the display unit
• Check that the monitor is at the correct eye level
• Take a bit of time every few minutes to look away from the screen and blink, try to look at something in the distance if you can.
• Take regular breaks away from the screen.
• You can get VDU glasses that help protect your eyes when using visual display units

RSI (repetitive strain injury) is usually linked to doing a particular task repeatedly or for a long amount of time. Statistics reveals that it is mostly common in people who work with computers or carry out repetitive manual labour.

RSI occurs in relation to the excessive use of muscles usually in the upper body, largely the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck and back.

Factors that can put you at risk of RSI include:
repetitive activities
doing an activity for a long time without rest
doing an activity that involves force, such as lifting heavy objects
poor posture or activities that require you to work in an awkward position

If you work at a computer all day, make sure your seat, keyboard, mouse and screen are positioned so that they cause the least amount of strain to your fingers, hands, wrists, neck and back.
Sit at your desk with a good posture. Adjust your chair so that your forearms are horizontal with the desk and your eyes are the same height as the top of your computer screen.
If you do a repetitive task at work try to take regular breaks. It is better to take smaller breaks more frequently than just one long break at lunch.
Speak to your employer if there is anything relating to your working environment that you feel could be improved.