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Safe computer use

Many people use computers or visual display units (VDUs) as part of their job. Most suffer no ill-effects. VDUs don't give out harmful levels of radiation and rarely cause skin complaints.

If you use one and suffer ill-effects it may be because of the way you're using the computer. For example, you might suffer from strain in the back of the hand due to excessive 'mouse' clicking, or stress or neckache if you use a VDU without a break for a long time. Problems like these can be avoided by a well-designed workstation and job.

• Read a guide from the Health and Safety Executive on working with VDUs (PDF, 214K) (opens new window)
• Help with PDF files

Is your employer responsible?

Under health and safety regulations your employer should:

These regulations also apply if you're working at home as an employee and using a VDU for a long period of time.

To make sure your work environment is safe, think about the way you use your VDU. If you have concerns you should report them to your employer or employee safety representative if you have one.

• Find out about employers' health and safety responsibilities
• Employees' health and safety responsibilities - find out more
• More information about health and safety representatives

Entitlement to breaks

There is no legal limit to how long you should work at a VDU, but under health and safety regulations you have the right to breaks from work using a VDU. These don't have to be rest breaks, just different types of work.

Guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggests it'sbetter to take shorter breaks more often at your workstation than longer breaks and less often (eg a 5-10 minute break after 50-60 minutes continuous screen and/or keyboard work is likely to be better than a 15 minute break every 2 hours). But if your job means spending long periods at a VDU (eg data input), then longer breaks from your workstation should be introduced.

When working at a VDU make sure you can sit in a comfortable position, and keep a good posture. Your eyes should be level with the screen. Make sure you have enough space and don't sit in the same position for too long.

If you're disabled, your employer's duty to make reasonable adjustments for you may mean that they will provide you with special computer equipment (or alter existing equipment) to suit your needs. You can also get advice and maybe help with paying for equipment from your local Jobcentre Plus.

• Find your local Jobcentre Plus (opens new window)
• More about rest breaks
• Find out about Access to Work for disabled people

Free eye tests

Studies haven't shown a link between VDU use and damage to eyesight, but if you feel that using a VDU screen is making your eyes tired, tell your employer or employee safety representative.

You have the right to a free eyesight test if you use, or are about to use, a VDU  a lot during work hours. You can also get more free tests if recommended by the optometrist.

If you're prescribed glasses to help you work with a VDU, your employer must pay for a basic pair of glasses, provided they're needed especially for your work.

What to do next

Make sure your employer has assessed the risks of your job, paying special attention to computer use.

Make sure any desks and other equipment are comfortable to use and ask your employer if you need special equipment (eg wrist rests).

If you have any health problems you think may be caused by your VDU, contact your line manager or safety representative. Your employer has a duty to consult you on health and safety issues that affect you, and should welcome early reporting of any issue.

Where to get help

The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (Acas) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on employment rights issues. You can call the Acas help line on 08457 474 747 from 8.00 am to 6.00 pm Monday to Friday.

• Acas (opens new window)

Your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) can provide free and impartial advice. You can find your local CAB office in the phone book or online.

• Find your local Citizens Advice Bureau (opens new window)

The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) offers free, confidential and impartial advice on all employment rights issues for residents of Northern Ireland. You can contact the LRA on 028 9032 1442 from 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Monday to Friday.

• Labour Relations Agency (opens new window)

If you are a member of a trade union, you can get help, advice and support from them.

• More about trade unions

More useful links

• Find out about disability discrimination
• Read a guide to working with VDUs (PDF, 214K) (opens new window)
• More about health and safety in the workplace (PDF, 414K) (opens new window)
• Help with PDF files
• Advice for your employer on meeting minimum workplace standards from Business Link (opens new window)