Working at the computer - what are the health and safety requirements

Health and safety regulations are quite precisely expressed in the issues of working conditions and safety of our employees, but it often happens that we translate them into the reality of production employees only, we make sure that they wear protective clothing appropriate to the work they perform. Unfortunately, office workers are often neglected in this matter, who are also exposed to various health detriments when working on a computer is performed.

The primary duty of the employer is to comply with all health and safety regulations, regardless of the work performed by the employee. The basis of the regulations is the proper organization of the work environment. Nowadays, there is practically no company where computer work is not required. That is why it is worth becoming interested in the restrictions of health and safety regulations regarding office positions.

A person working at a computer, employed by an employer (also an apprentice and interns) uses a computer at least half of the daily working time, i.e. at least 4 hours a day (§ 2 point 4 of the Regulation on occupational safety and health at workstations equipped with screen monitors; hereinafter referred to as the regulation). According to this definition, every employee staying in front of the monitor screen for more than 4 hours at work has the right to a break for each working hour in front of the monitor, lasting 5 minutes, or for a temporary change in the type of work performed.

Computer work and breaks at work

It is the employer's duty to organize work in such a way that each employee, after each hour of uninterrupted work at the computer, has the opportunity to change the type of work that does not burden eyesight or performs in a changed body position. If the employer cannot provide a change in work, he must allow at least a 5-minute break every hour of work in front of the monitor screen (§ 7 of the Regulation). Such a break is included in the employee's time and is normally payable.

Computer work and corrective glasses

Another obligation regulated by health and safety regulations towards the employer is to provide glasses that correct eyesight for employees working at workstations equipped with screen monitors. The basis for covering the costs of purchasing glasses by the employer are ophthalmological examinations, confirmed by an occupational medicine doctor's certificate. Only in this case is there an obligation to refinance the corrective glasses for employees. When we send a person employed or applying for a full-time job in our company for examinations to an occupational doctor, it will be determined whether there is a need to purchase glasses for the employee.

The amount of the refinancing the cost of purchasing glasses is determined by the employer himself in the internal regulations of his company. Nevertheless, the amount must be set so that it allows you to buy glasses in accordance with the doctor's recommendations.