Computer use in news media organisation

Summary of problem

For many years a large news media organisation had used a computer-based system to store and transfer news stories. This was becoming outdated because of developments in the electronic transfer of news stories. A new "off the shelf" package-based system was chosen.

The new system had consequences which had not been foreseen because it was being used for a task it was not designed for - lengthy in depth stories, rather than short bulletin style pieces.

Before it was introduced there had been relatively few cases of Upper Limb Disorders (ULDs) despite the use of DSE for many years. There then followed a surge of new cases (a three to four fold increase).

At the time there was a huge news story adding to the pressure and the company was also in the middle of reorganisation.

Action

Assessment of task, environment and individual factors for ULDs revealed the software could not cope with the needs of the news organisation.

To reduce the risk of ULDs the following controls were implemented.

Computer related equipment, including hardware, software, and furniture was reviewed by the safety manager.
Changes to workstation layout were made to improve working postures, particularly relating to upper limb, mouse and keyboard use. This focussed on the risk factor of working posture.
Changes were made to the software to reduce repetition.
The manager altered the work organisation including work patterns and shifts. This rectified any poor work practices and included control over work quality and deadlines. These changes focussed on the risk factors of duration and psychosocial factors.

Advice

Identify risk factors for ULDs including repetition, working posture, duration of exposure and psychosocial factors.
Undertake a pilot of the new software to see if it fulfils what your requirements are.
Encourage early reporting of cases so steps can be taken by managers to minimise the impact of symptoms.
The outlook for most cases should be good, so long as a programme is adopted which encourages early reporting and management of cases, without fear of prejudice, in an environment of mutual co-operation between employers, managers, unions, safety officers, IT specialists and occupational health professionals.
A DSE assessment is only applicable to the user at the time of the assessment and if the workstation is used by others (hot desking) the assessment will not be adequate.