Stress, visual discomfort, as well as aches and pains in the hands, wrists, arms or shoulders are just some of the problems that can affect people who use visual display units (VDUs), the HSE warns us.

Launching a new edition of its Working with VDUs guidance booklet, HSE’s Elizabeth Gyngell said: 'The new edition of Working with VDUs takes account of minor changes to the law that came into effect last September, as a result of the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002. It also draws more attention to the vital role of employees in taking part in risk assessments and reporting any health problems to employers.
The earlier that any problems are reported and tackled, the less severe they are likely to be.
By following HSE's guidance on VDU work, preventive action in most workplaces can be taken quite easily and need not be costly. Indeed it is likely to be far more expensive for employers and their insurers to ignore MSDs, which may lead not only to compensation claims, but also to costs arising from sickness absences and reduced productivity.

For anyone that wants to get up to date with this, the HSE will provide a single copy of their publication "Working with VDUs (INDG36 rev2)" or you can download it from their website at
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf

Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002 are available for download at
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/si/si2002/20022174.htm