Sunlight

Lirin

dpassmore- many thanks. I am using a pc continuously at work- and have to cup my hands over the screen. I'm blind in one eye, and can't risk any eyestrain on good eye. Eyes are tested regularly- p[tician agrees light is the probable cause.

lincroft- employers won't, as costs are 'too high' and ut's a 5-storey glass fronted building.

Hammyman

There is no such law. What about people who work outdoors, what do you think they do?

PasturesNew

Take a blanket in. Drape it over you and the screen. Bugg4h looking daft.... I'd do it to make a silent protest... but I am peculiar sometimes.

SarEl

Lirin wrote: »

dpassmore- many thanks. I am using a pc continuously at work- and have to cup my hands over the screen. I'm blind in one eye, and can't risk any eyestrain on good eye. Eyes are tested regularly- p[tician agrees light is the probable cause.

lincroft- employers won't, as costs are 'too high' and ut's a 5-storey glass fronted building.

I generally bow to dpassmores knowledge of H&S. But ooooo - if I was the employer I would sort this and in double quick time. You have a disability already, and they have an enhanced diuty of care. Every employer must exercise a duty of care towards their employees and I am sorry, but "it costs too much" isn't a legal reason not to exercise it. However, in your case, the employer must take particular care because any further incapacity caused by their recklessness in not addressing reasonable adjustments would be not only a potential disability discrimination claim, but also a personal injury claim. There may not be specific legislative mention of "sunlight", but there is plenty about lighting levels, glare, and the general work environment which can be utilised. And as I said, in your case they could be walking into a much more costly situation than buying some blinds! Or to be more precise, since I have been in a lot of offices like this one - that natty tinted "sticky backed stuff" (I sound like something of Blue Peter, but I have no idea what it is called) that everyone else uses. Cuts the glare right off.

dickydonkin

Hammyman wrote: »

There is no such law. What about people who work outdoors, what do you think they do?

Actually there is - The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 in particular regulation 3 that states "The screen shall be free of reflective glare and reflections liable to cause discomfort to the operator or user"

As the OP has indicated that she uses DSE in an obviously unsuitable environment, her employer will need to address the situation and try to resolve the issues that are causing the problems.

The reality is that the OP's employer should have assessed the employees workstations.

It would be unrealistic for the employer to attempt to eliminate the light entering the whole building, however, measures such as partitioning off certain areas with tinted glass or more solid materials to eliminate glare could be a possibility, although without seeing the actual workplace, it is difficult to decide on the best ways to remedy the problem.

Some posters have suggested PPE, but as I have mentioned in another thread about safety boots, PPE should only be considered after other methods of controling hazards have been implemented or are are deemed as 'not reasonably practicable' i.e. the cost/outlay outweighs any benefits.

EDIT

SarEL has indeed hit on another point with regards to your already existing condition and I wonder if your employer has taken your eyesight problem into consideration - it certainly should have been considered in any risk assessment.

As for the cost aspect - I am sure SarEl will be fully aware of the terminology 'reasonably practicable' which is embedded into The Health & Safety at Work Act which is the backbone of UK H&S legislation.

Our EU neighbours recently attempted to do away with 'So Far as is Reasonably Practicable' or 'As Low as is Reasonably Practicable' as they believed it was a get out clause for UK employers to neglect their duty of care as costs would dictate the measures to reduce the risk of harm.

Furthermore, it would require a subjective assessment from the duty holder (employer) as whether costs would outweigh any benefit - but I always ask the question 'what price do you put on human pain and suffering? - in my opinion, the biggest price to pay in health & safety failure.

I think it went to some high European court and they decided the UK could retain the 'reasonably practicable' terminology.

Was it a good decision?

I suspect those who sit in the boardroom will be happier than those exposed to any hazards in the workplace.

PasturesNew wrote: »

Take a blanket in. Drape it over you and the screen. Bugg4h looking daft.... I'd do it to make a silent protest... but I am peculiar sometimes.

Crude - but effective - but not as daft as it sounds - well OK it is - but.............

The above remedy is a form of enclosure with material to remove the glare - so OK, sitting in a corner looking like Casper the friendly ghost may be going to extremes, but the principle is the same.

Lirin

Quote:
Originally Posted by PasturesNew
Take a blanket in. Drape it over you and the screen. Bugg4h looking daft.... I'd do it to make a silent protest... but I am peculiar sometimes.

This made me laugh- I am so tempted to try it now.

Ended up yestarday with talks going on. Have said I will work in this area- but not when it's sunny or bright. As I keep getting told the situation is being resolved, that shouldn't be too long.

I know H&S means I can walk away if I feel it's damaging- which it is. I've been trying to be fairly nice as we're routinely short-staffed. That's over now!

My supervisor is sympathetic, and is trying to help, but appears to be blocked by higher above.

Insomnia101

I had the same problem a few years back, after much procrastinating my employers provided a plastic shade that sticks out a few inches for the computer screen that went all the way around it and prevented any glare. It wasn't expensive and it doesn't damage the screen in any way (can also be removed easily). If you're employer doesn't want to get one (which they really should), could you perhaps buy one yourself? I'm sure online office supply stores do them reasonably cheaply.

Hope that helps.