hey guys and girls.

what im looking for is, something to say what health and safety equipment is needed/can be requested when working in an office.

My boyfriend work with CAD alot and is starting to get wrist pain, so i told him he should be supplied with a gel support mouse mat.

He asked work today and she said she`d think about it (joking or not im not sure)

I know its up to the company to supply them as my dad does the same job and he is know suffering from carpal tunnel and his gp made him aware of the health and safety law.

I have looked on the website but cant find what im looking for, does anyone know where i can find it?

i`d like him to have the info so if they refuse to get him one, we have something to show them.

Thanks

Ally

Try googling for display screen equipment regulations or ergonomic assessments. They should lay down what is required to be supplied by law whether it be foot rests, wrist supports or anti-glare filters etc.

Where does he work? Just had a 3hour refresher HSE meeting this morning.....if he starts getting any pains etc he can ask for anything. Wrist supports for keyboard, mouse, etc. The regional health and safety manager went into alot of detail about this, he was saying that employees should be looked after no matter what....because it will all hinder whoever later in life.

yeah i no this. Had to sit health and safety every 6 months for the past 7 years lol

I know what he`s entitled to
I just cant seem to find anything solid to say THEY SHOULD provide it.

Lots on keyboards, nothing on mouse supports.

a gel wrist rest mouse mat costs less than £10, why argue with HR when you can buy your own, i have, my health is more important that arguing over who should pay for it.

personally i think health problems caused by your job are your own fault, i know the law doesnt see it that way, but ultimately everyone is responsible for their own health and safety. if a mechanic gets oily hands its his fault for not wearing gloves, his employer should supply gloves, but if they dont there's nothing to gain from not wearing gloves while you argue about it, just buy some, you cant put a price on your own health.

i use a computer all day so i know my back, wrists and eyes are going to suffer, thats part of the job, if i think the risks are too high i'll get another job. i cant see the point in arguing with HR over who should give me a screen glare reducer, a better seat or gel wrist rest. my health is worth the few quid they cost so i buy my own, besides if i buy my own i can choose what i want and i can keep them.

thats your view.

but it is up to the employer to provide anything to protect the health of the work, no matter what the job is. regardless of the cost!

he shouldnt have to buy his own, its PPE!!!!They should already be provided as the mouse is the main thing used, EVERYONE should have one.

would you say to a nurse or care worker, im sorry you have to buy your own gloves ect if you dont want to come into contact with anything nasty...NO, would a construction worker be expected to buy his/her own PPE..NO

as for it being your own fault thats utter rubbish, there is only so much you can do to protect yourself from injury or strain.

i would say to a nurse who's employer did not supply gloves that they should buy their own rather than contract aids and then complain afterwards. i'm not saying the employer should not provide gloves, but to go without purely on principle is daft, especially when the cost is less than 1% of your income.

Nyx said:

thats your view.

but it is up to the employer to provide anything to protect the health of the work, no matter what the job is. regardless of the cost!

he shouldnt have to buy his own, its PPE!!!!They should already be provided as the mouse is the main thing used, EVERYONE should have one.

would you say to a nurse or care worker, im sorry you have to buy your own gloves ect if you dont want to come into contact with anything nasty...NO, would a construction worker be expected to buy his/her own PPE..NO

as for it being your own fault thats utter rubbish, there is only so much you can do to protect yourself from injury or strain.

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I agree 100%. If it was me and I was in real pain and my employer refused to buy me a gel support, I'd be at the doctors in a flash to get there opinion. It would serve the employer right if the doctor put me on the sick :devil:

Si

the point i'm making is you would never have a bad wrist in the first place if you took responsiblity for your own health and bought a gel wrist rest.

there's no point asking for gloves after you've caught aids.

The point is NO nurse would have to buy their own PPE, so why should anyone else.

It is the employers duty to make sure anything that will proctect you from illness or injury is made available free of charge, no matter what your job is, or how cheap it is.

sikersh said:

I agree 100%. If it was me and I was in real pain and my employer refused to buy me a gel support, I'd be at the doctors in a flash to get there opinion. It would serve the employer right if the doctor put me on the sick :devil:

Si

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Thank god someone does!!!!!!!

the reason is the risk, a nurse is at real risk without gloves, a wrist rest isnt as critical. millions of people work fine without one.

Everyone has risk in their job, thats why there is PPE.

Yes nurses & carers have a great risk ( i know, i am one!) But just because "a wrist isnt as important" why should you pay yourself? you shouldnt!

Half the problem is people dont know what they are entitled to.

Yes millions of people work fine without them, my dad did for 20 odd years, now he faces an operation and a long time off work. why? cos he didnt know what he was entitled and lets face it, unless you ask your boss wont provide it.

James has only been doing it a year and he is already getting pain, people differ.

so for £10, my dads boss now has to pay him full pay while he`s off

It doesn't matter which is more critical, it's his right as an employee to have the correct equipment needed to do the job - simple as.

I don't think he's entitled to anything until an assessment has been carried out and the law doesn't say at any cost. Just go to the shop and buy one if he's finding using a mouse uncomfortable.

under the PPE work regs you can ask for anything that will prevent illness or injury. you can not be charged for it, it is upto the employer wheather they just provide it or get in a risk assesment team .

http://www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/healthandsafety

This might help

sikersh said:

http://www.icthubknowledgebase.org.uk/healthandsafety

This might help

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Thanks for that thats the kind of thing i was looking for.

I can only tell him what i know, but that backs it up.

http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/16-1.htm

And more relevent...

http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr045.htm

hope that helps...

first para of every H & S poster - every employer has a duty of care to their employees. Says it all really.

Jug, are you playing devils advocate?