Got a company laptop – where is my ergonomic stand ?

by Santosh Puthran | 2 Comments | Tags: lifestyle, technology | on Feb19 2011

When your company gives a laptop, the first thing that comes to your mind is that you can work from anywhere …. your home, client's place or any hot desk in your work place. You forget to make an assessment whether a continuous usage of laptop without proper ergonmic equipment may lead to health problems to you. This may include musculoskeletal disorders, eye fatigue and mental stress.

I often tell people who use laptop for a long time to consider use of ergonmic laptop stand or a docking station. This is what I hear:

Why waste time in setting up the laptop stand everyday.
I am very comfortable with the way I use the laptop … quick and easy.
I frequently take my laptop in the meetings. The laptop may not function properly when I will take out from docking station.
Laptop stand looks ugly on my desk.

The Display Screen Equipment (DSE) regulations in the UK are intended to prevent health problems occurring by promoting good ergonomic design of equipment, furniture, the working environment and job tasks.

Employers’ key duties

Under the Regulations, employers are not required to conform to detailed technical specifications but are obliged to follow more general objectives. According to the HSE publication "Working with VDUs" employers have to:

Analyse workstations, and assess and reduce risks

Employers need to examine:

The complete workstation including equipment, furniture and the work environment

The job and tasks being performed; and

Any special needs of individual staff (whose views may be sought as part of the assessment)

Ensure workstations meet minimum requirements

These basic requirements are good features that should be found in a workstation, such as adjustable chairs and suitable lighting. They are set out in the schedule to the Regulations, covering screens, keyboards, desks, chairs, the work environment and software.

How To Avoid the Most Common Workplace Injuries

It is your neck at stake and continuous use of a laptop may lead to health problems in the future. So it is better to discuss with your health and safety officer in your company to make sure you have a safe working environment.

Ergonomic laptop stands are available at Amazon, Staples

Santosh Puthran

Santosh Puthran is a technology enthusiast, gadget lover, Internet and photography addict, fun loving person who speaks his mind on iWaant. Feel free to follow him on various social networks including Twitter and Facebook. Subscribe to iWaant.com by RSS or Email