Minimum VDU Size for the Office?

My Administration Manager has requested that the LCD screens on our reception desks, are reduced from the current 19" models, to say a 13" screen.

reason being, the ladies are being hidden behind the screen and she wants this changed.

Does anyone know if H & S would be a factor here, as the receptionist will be working a minimum of 8 hours per day.

Thanks in advance.

Originally Posted by slloyd

Does anyone know if H & S would be a factor here, as the receptionist will be working a minimum of 8 hours per day.

H&S is not an excuse to stop things you (they) don't like! It may suck, but if the screen is clear then there is nothing to stop it.

PS - it may be worth looking at the design of reception if screens block the people behind.

The reception desk is a flat sheet of frosted glass...but I think the Admin Manager just want something like a 13" screen to suffice this.

Cool, then I'll get on with looking at smaller LCD's then. Thanks, for the update.

[flymo]

I havent heard them called VDUs for years

[Stu]

So... you have some 19" flat screens going in the bin?

dibs

could well be, but I doubt if the bill payers will approve the screen downgrade.

Stay tuned all the same as the models are Samsung SM971P.

[Sir Trev]

The H&S advice leaflets we have state that screens and worstations should be "ergonomic" with screens at eye level. A small screen can still be at eye level of course but it will look pretty stupid!

Your admin manager needs to be careful on this. If the front desk workers have to look down to a small screen all day and claim for bad back/neck as a consequence of his wish for clean lines I would bet some of my own money he'd lose the case.

[mr.anderson]

Had the same question at my work. General Manager decided that 19s were too big. Went throught 3 types of monitor before he settled on one he liked. it was a Samsung 15". Frickin £245 each. For a 15" monitor. Unbelieveable. Would give you the model no (not at hand) but I know that they don't make them anymore.

[TEC]

A very valid point ...

Originally Posted by mr.anderson

..... 15". Frickin £245 each. For a 15" monitor. Unbelieveable....

Who ever is paying the bills needs to be aware of that, chances of finding a cheap 13" screen is very slight, even 19" square screens are starting to be hard to come by as everything is going wide screen

[Gazza77]

Originally Posted by Sir Trev

The H&S advice leaflets we have state that screens and worstations should be "ergonomic" with screens at eye level. A small screen can still be at eye level of course but it will look pretty stupid!

Your admin manager needs to be careful on this. If the front desk workers have to look down to a small screen all day and claim for bad back/neck as a consequence of his wish for clean lines I would bet some of my own money he'd lose the case.

I used to do a bit of H&S stuff at work too. As above, the top of the screen should be at eye level and there should be suitable lighting, etc. as part of a proper H&S review. afaik however, there is no legal minimum screen size.