Ensuring Proper Posture for Children Using Display Screen Equipment
Use of display screen
equipment by children:
Health and safety
guidance for schools:
Teachers’ Guide
What areas are covered?
Using computers safely
Guidance on setting up
workstations for children and on
how to prevent computer-related
injuries
Computers can
cause
injury and harm health if:
posture is bad; and
the user works for longer than one
hour at a time without a break; and
the computer is over-used.
It is the
combination of hazards
bad posture, and
long sessions, and
over-use
that can lead to harm.
Getting the right posture
Elbow level with top of keyboard
Fingertips just above the home row
of the keyboard
Forearms and hands horizontal
Elbows with right-angle bends
Elbows tucked in at the side
Adjust your seat height to allow all
of the above
Dos and Don’ts
Step 1: Adjusting the chair height
Upper arm vertical, or forward by 5
Getting the right posture
Step 2: Adjusting the backrest
Sit back in the chair
The spine should be curved in at
the back
Adjust the backrest height to
support the small of the back
Sit erect, or lean slightly back by
about 5
letting the backrest
support some of your weight
Dos and Don’ts
Getting the right posture
Step 3: Legs and feet
Sit with thighs horizontal, not
letting them support the weight
of the body
The lower legs should be vertical
The knee joint should have a
right-angle bend
Feet should be flat on the floor,
or resting on a footrest
Dos and Don’ts
Getting the right posture
Step 4: Head and shoulders
The shoulders should be
relaxed
Slouching should be avoided
The head should be kept
up, but the screen must not
be above eye level
Dos and Don’ts
Getting the right posture
Step 5: Position of keyboard & screen
Both the keyboard and
screen should be
directly in front of the
user – not to one side
The user should not have
to twist either his or her
body or neck to use the
keyboard or look at the
screen
Dos and Don’ts
Getting the right posture
Step 6: Setting the screen height
Ideally the top of the
screen should be just
below eye level (but it
must not be above eye
level)
The normal height of a
laptop screen is also
satisfactory
Dos and Don’ts
Getting the right posture
Step 7: Setting the screen distance
The viewing distance should
lie between 450 mm and
750 mm
The display screen should be
moved back or forward to
give comfortable viewing for
the user
For the typical user, a
viewing distance of 600 mm
gives comfortable viewing
Getting the right posture
Step 8: Setting the keyboard position
The keyboard should be about
10 cm back from the front edge of
the desk giving your hands space
to rest
The keyboard should be parallel to
the front edge of the desk
The letters “H” and “K” in the
home row should be centrally in
front of the user
The use of a palm-rest between
the front edge of the desk and
front of the keyboard is
recommended
Dos and Don’ts
Workstations with 2 users
Getting the right posture
Step 9: Setting the screen angle
Screen glare
should be avoided
because it can cause the user to:
twist their head and body, or
crane their neck forward, or
adopt other forms of bad posture to
read the screen.
If there is
glare
glare
,
swivel or tilt the screen to
swivel or tilt the screen to
remove the unwanted
remove the unwanted
reflection
reflection
,
,
or
or
close the blinds
close the blinds
Dos and Don’ts
Getting the right posture
Step 10: Using a mouse
Dos and Don’ts
Position the mouse very close to the edge
of the keyboard and about
10 cm
from
the front edge of the desk (
a mini-
keyboard brings the arm closer to a
neutral posture
, so reducing the
tension on the arm and shoulder
)
The user should not have to
stretch to reach the mouse
and the arm and wrist
should not be bent outwards
away from the keyboard
If lots of mousing is necessary, the keyboard should be shifted aside
and the mouse placed directly in front of the user
Mini-keyboard
Getting the right posture
Step 11: Stop using the mouse
Mousing should be reduced as much as
possible by using keyboard commands in
place of drop-down menu instructions
Ctrl B – for
Bold Text
Ctrl I – for
Italic Text
Ctrl C – For Copy then Ctrl V to Paste
Ctrl+Function Key(3) – for ALTERING CASE
Ctrl S – Save the current file
Getting the right posture
Step 12: Document holder
Paperwork should be
placed in a document
holder so that it is
below or alongside the
screen
The user should not
have to continually twist
the back or neck to read
documents
Getting the right posture
Step 13: Neutral posture
The user should try to keep the body
relaxed in a neutral posture with very little
strain on any muscles
Continual or continuous stretching,
twisting or bending should be avoided
Taking breaks
The user should be given a break of at
least 10 minutes every hour
Ideally, the user should be given suitable
physical exercise during breaks
Every so often, the user should gaze
outdoors, focusing on something distant
(this allows the eyes to relax)
Dos and Don’ts
Over-use
Repeated heavy use can be dangerous
unless hourly breaks are taken and the ideal
postural requirements are met
Workstations with two users
Minimum
recommended
table dimensions
1500-1800 mm wide
by
750 mm deep
One person operates the keyboard and mouse as
directed on
slide 12
. The screen should be
directly in front of this person.
The screen is tilted to let a second person see it.
Laptops
The laptop should be set
up on a table or desk as
specified for a desktop
computer
Line-of-sight angle lies
between 20
and 50
below
horizontal
Eye-to-screen distance is
slightly under 600 mm
Dos and Don’ts
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t sit with your elbows far from your sides
Don’t sit with your elbows far from your sides
Don’t extend the upper arm
Don’t extend the upper arm
Don’t flex your wrists by more than 15
Don’t flex your wrists by more than 15
Do keep your forearms horizontal
Do keep your forearms horizontal
Back to Step 1: Adjusting the chair height
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t slouch forward
Don’t slouch forward
Don’t lean back
Don’t lean back
Do sit up straight
Do sit up straight
Do let the backrest support some of your
Do let the backrest support some of your
weight
weight
Back to Step 2: Adjusting the backrest
Back to Step 4: Head and shoulders
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t sit on the edge of your seat
Don’t sit on the edge of your seat
Don’t let your thighs support your
Don’t let your thighs support your
weight
weight
Do sit back in your seat
Do sit back in your seat
Do place your feet on the floor, or on a
Do place your feet on the floor, or on a
footrest
footrest
Back to Step 3: Legs and Feet
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t place the keyboard at an angle to the
Don’t place the keyboard at an angle to the
desk
desk
Don’t sit to one side of the keyboard
Don’t sit to one side of the keyboard
Don’t sit to one side of the screen
Don’t sit to one side of the screen
Do sit directly on front of the keyboard and
Do sit directly on front of the keyboard and
screen
screen
Back to Step 5: Position of keyboard & screen
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t place the mouse far back from the front edge of
Don’t place the mouse far back from the front edge of
the desk – stretching causes unnecessary tension in
the desk – stretching causes unnecessary tension in
the muscles of the shoulder and upper arm
the muscles of the shoulder and upper arm
Don’t place the mouse far out to one side – rotating
Don’t place the mouse far out to one side – rotating
the arm causes unnecessary tension in the muscles of
the arm causes unnecessary tension in the muscles of
the shoulder and upper arm
the shoulder and upper arm
Do place the mouse next to the side of the keyboard
Do place the mouse next to the side of the keyboard
about 100 mm from the front edge of the desk
about 100 mm from the front edge of the desk
Back to Step 10: Using a mouse
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t place the top of the screen above eye level
Don’t place the top of the screen above eye level
Do sit with the top of the screen at eye level
Do sit with the top of the screen at eye level
Or do sit with it 50 mm below eye level
Or do sit with it 50 mm below eye level
Or do sit with the centre of the screen at 35
Or do sit with the centre of the screen at 35
below
below
eye level
eye level
Back to Step 6: Setting the screen height
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t sit with a laptop on your lap
Don’t sit with a laptop on your lap
Don’t use a laptop on the floor
Don’t use a laptop on the floor
Don’t use a laptop on a low table
Don’t use a laptop on a low table
Do set up your laptop as you should a
Do set up your laptop as you should a
desktop
desktop
Back to Laptops
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t peer at the screen if the image is
Don’t peer at the screen if the image is
obscure
obscure
Do swivel or tilt the screen to remove glare
Do swivel or tilt the screen to remove glare
Do close a blind to block out the sun or sky
Do close a blind to block out the sun or sky
Do clean the screen
Do clean the screen
Do magnify the image or increase the font
Do magnify the image or increase the font
size
size
Do adjust the screen brightness or contrast
Do adjust the screen brightness or contrast
Back to Step 9: Setting the screen angle
Dos and Don’ts
Don’t work without a break
Don’t work without a break
Do take a break of at least 10 minutes
Do take a break of at least 10 minutes
every hour
every hour
Do take some exercise
Do take some exercise
Do look away from the screen
Do look away from the screen
periodically, letting your eyes focus on
periodically, letting your eyes focus on
something distant
something distant
Back to Taking breaks
Summary
Set up computer workstations using all the
Set up computer workstations using all the
rules on good posture
rules on good posture
Encourage users to take regular breaks,
Encourage users to take regular breaks,
especially with exercise
especially with exercise
Do not let computer users operate
Do not let computer users operate
workstations for extended periods.
workstations for extended periods.
Comprehensive guidance on promoting children's health and safety while using computers, emphasizing the importance of correct posture, workstation setup, and breaks to prevent injuries and health issues associated with prolonged screen time.
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Presentation Transcript
Use of display screen equipment by children: Health and safety guidance for schools: Teachers Guide This is an exported picture
What areas are covered? Using computers safely Guidance on setting up workstations for children and on how to prevent computer-related injuries
Computers can cause injury and harm health if: posture is bad; and the user works for longer than one hour at a time without a break; and the computer is over-used.
It is the combination of hazards bad posture, and long sessions, and over-use that can lead to harm.
Getting the right posture Step 1: Adjusting the chair height Elbow level with top of keyboard Upper arm vertical, or forward by 5 Fingertips just above the home row of the keyboard Forearms and hands horizontal Elbows with right-angle bends Elbows tucked in at the side Adjust your seat height to allow all of the above Dos and Don ts
Getting the right posture Step 2: Adjusting the backrest Sit back in the chair The spine should be curved in at the back Adjust the backrest height to support the small of the back Sit erect, or lean slightly back by about 5 letting the backrest support some of your weight Dos and Don ts
Getting the right posture Step 3: Legs and feet Sit with thighs horizontal, not letting them support the weight of the body The lower legs should be vertical The knee joint should have a right-angle bend Feet should be flat on the floor, or resting on a footrest Dos and Don ts
Getting the right posture Step 4: Head and shoulders The shoulders should be relaxed Slouching should be avoided The head should be kept up, but the screen must not be above eye level Dos and Don ts
Getting the right posture Step 5: Position of keyboard & screen Both the keyboard and screen should be directly in front of the user not to one side The user should not have to twist either his or her body or neck to use the keyboard or look at the screen Dos and Don ts
Getting the right posture Step 6: Setting the screen height Ideally the top of the screen should be just below eye level (but it must not be above eye level) The normal height of a laptop screen is also satisfactory Dos and Don ts
Getting the right posture Step 7: Setting the screen distance The viewing distance should lie between 450 mm and 750 mm The display screen should be moved back or forward to give comfortable viewing for the user For the typical user, a viewing distance of 600 mm gives comfortable viewing
Getting the right posture Step 8: Setting the keyboard position The keyboard should be about 10 cm back from the front edge of the desk giving your hands space to rest The keyboard should be parallel to the front edge of the desk The letters H and K in the home row should be centrally in front of the user The use of a palm-rest between the front edge of the desk and front of the keyboard is recommended Workstations with 2 users Dos and Don ts
Getting the right posture Step 9: Setting the screen angle Screen glare should be avoided because it can cause the user to: twist their head and body, or crane their neck forward, or adopt other forms of bad posture to read the screen. If there is glare, swivel or tilt the screen to remove the unwanted reflection, or close the blinds Dos and Don ts
Getting the right posture Step 10: Using a mouse Position the mouse very close to the edge of the keyboard and about 10 cm from the front edge of the desk (a mini- keyboard brings the arm closer to a neutral posture, so reducing the tension on the arm and shoulder) The user should not have to stretch to reach the mouse and the arm and wrist should not be bent outwards away from the keyboard Mini-keyboard If lots of mousing is necessary, the keyboard should be shifted aside and the mouse placed directly in front of the user Dos and Don ts
Getting the right posture Step 11: Stop using the mouse Mousing should be reduced as much as possible by using keyboard commands in place of drop-down menu instructions Ctrl B for Bold Text Ctrl I for Italic Text Ctrl C For Copy then Ctrl V to Paste Ctrl+Function Key(3) for ALTERING CASE Ctrl S Save the current file
Getting the right posture Step 12: Document holder Paperwork should be placed in a document holder so that it is below or alongside the screen The user should not have to continually twist the back or neck to read documents
Getting the right posture Step 13: Neutral posture The user should try to keep the body relaxed in a neutral posture with very little strain on any muscles Continual or continuous stretching, twisting or bending should be avoided
Taking breaks The user should be given a break of at least 10 minutes every hour Ideally, the user should be given suitable physical exercise during breaks Every so often, the user should gaze outdoors, focusing on something distant (this allows the eyes to relax) Dos and Don ts
Over-use Repeated heavy use can be dangerous unless hourly breaks are taken and the ideal postural requirements are met
Workstations with two users Minimum recommended table dimensions 1500-1800 mm wide by 750 mm deep One person operates the keyboard and mouse as directed on slide 12. The screen should be directly in front of this person. The screen is tilted to let a second person see it.
Laptops The laptop should be set up on a table or desk as specified for a desktop computer Line-of-sight angle lies between 20 and 50 below horizontal Eye-to-screen distance is slightly under 600 mm Dos and Don ts
Dos and Donts Don t sit with your elbows far from your sides Don t extend the upper arm Don t flex your wrists by more than 15 Do keep your forearms horizontal Back to Step 1: Adjusting the chair height
Dos and Donts Don t slouch forward Don t lean back Do sit up straight Do let the backrest support some of your weight Back to Step 2: Adjusting the backrest Back to Step 4: Head and shoulders
Dos and Donts Don t sit on the edge of your seat Don t let your thighs support your weight Do sit back in your seat Do place your feet on the floor, or on a footrest Back to Step 3: Legs and Feet
Dos and Donts Don t place the keyboard at an angle to the desk Don t sit to one side of the keyboard Don t sit to one side of the screen Do sit directly on front of the keyboard and screen Back to Step 5: Position of keyboard & screen
Dos and Donts Don t place the mouse far back from the front edge of the desk stretching causes unnecessary tension in the muscles of the shoulder and upper arm Don t place the mouse far out to one side rotating the arm causes unnecessary tension in the muscles of the shoulder and upper arm Do place the mouse next to the side of the keyboard about 100 mm from the front edge of the desk Back to Step 10: Using a mouse
Dos and Donts Don t place the top of the screen above eye level Do sit with the top of the screen at eye level Or do sit with it 50 mm below eye level Or do sit with the centre of the screen at 35 below eye level Back to Step 6: Setting the screen height
Dos and Donts Don t sit with a laptop on your lap Don t use a laptop on the floor Don t use a laptop on a low table Do set up your laptop as you should a desktop Back to Laptops
Dos and Donts Don t peer at the screen if the image is obscure Do swivel or tilt the screen to remove glare Do close a blind to block out the sun or sky Do clean the screen Do magnify the image or increase the font size Do adjust the screen brightness or contrast Back to Step 9: Setting the screen angle
Dos and Donts Don t work without a break Do take a break of at least 10 minutes every hour Do take some exercise Do look away from the screen periodically, letting your eyes focus on something distant Back to Taking breaks
Summary Set up computer workstations using all the rules on good posture Encourage users to take regular breaks, especially with exercise Do not let computer users operate workstations for extended periods.
