Career centre - health & safety

Taking care of yourself whilst on the job…

It is the duty of our candidates to comply with the Health and Safety policies of each individual workplace, taking care of your own and your fellow colleagues’ health and safety at work.

An employer or client will provide the necessary health and safety information for their particular location. However here are few basic guidelines:

• Be aware of fire exits and the procedures to be adopted in case of a fire.
• Learn the correct method of operating any equipment that you have been authorised to use.
• Take care when moving boxes or other heavy materials. Only carry what you can reasonably manage and use a trolley if necessary.

In an office environment, it is important that you manage your workspace in the most ergonomic way possible.

• Adjust your computer display screen in terms of height, tilt, brightness and contrast. Position your screen to prevent distracting glares and reflections.
• Ensure your keyboard can be accessed easily with bent, relaxed arms and that your body is erect. The more you twist your spine or neck and the further you have to reach for your mouse, the more likely you are to cause yourself damage. Use wrist rests and do not hit the keys too hard or grip the mouse too tightly.
• Use a document holder to avoid leaning over to read documents.
• Your chair should be stable and allow freedom of movement, adjusted in both height and tilt, with your lower back supported.
• Sit well back in the chair and use a footrest if necessary.
• Short breaks, sometimes known as 'micro-pause', should be taken after every 10 minutes or so of typing. This need only involve looking away from the computer and moving your shoulders, arms and fingers to break the sitting position. A few gentle shoulder and wrist rotations, which can be done while sitting, are also ideal.

To counter the effects of a fixed seated position, take regular breaks away from the desk. A good use of time is to trade deskwork for photocopying or filing.

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