Dear Reader

Welcome to this week’s Labour Bulletin.

My colleague, Fulvia (you might have met her through the Tax Bulletin), gave me some advice today on how to sit properly at my desk. We’d been having a good moan about the aches and pains we’ve got from working on a computer all day. Needless to say, I’ve been sitting straight up with my feet flat on the floor since!

It got me thinking though…as an employer it’s your duty to look after the health and safety of your employees. Even if they work at desks all day, there are concerns you must watch out for.

For example, working on a computer can’t damage your eyes, but it can cause eye strain.

4 causes of eye strain

Fatigue
Dry eyes
Bad lighting
Bad/incorrect positioning in front of the computer

How can you help?

10 ways to prevent eye strain

• Make changes to your computer workspace (and ensure your employees do the same)
• Position your screen 20 to 26 inches away from your eyes and a little bit below eye level.
• Use a document holder, near your monitor so you don’t constantly lose eye focus.
• Adjust your chair so you are sitting with the computer screen at eye level.
• Choose a monitor that can tilt and swivel, and a comfortable keyboard.
• Glare filters over your monitor can prevent harsh reflections.
• Ensure there’s sufficient lighting in the office (LUX 500 is the recommended level).
• Mini break eye focuses and eye exercises can bring relief.
• Conduct eye examinations if your employees are at risk in terms of medical surveillance: Baseline, periodic, exit medicals as regards man-job-specifications, for example, drivers are legally required to have eye testing with regard to conditions of employment.
• If your employee complains of eye strain he might need glasses or to change the script of his existing lenses.
• The optometrist will also be able to see if dry eyes are a problem, and prescribe eye lubricants, such as natural tears.

Until next time

Sarah-Jane Bosch
Managing Editor