The CSIT (occasional) Health & Safety Bulletin, December 2003

1. Occupational Strains Prevention

1.1 Office/Workstation Checks.

Our current OSLO Antoinette Bosman and myself did two passes of these
over the last week, covering about 70% of the offices.  We intend to
hold such checks annually. 

For those that requested footstools / workstation stands / etc, please
note that we will have to get approval before these can be ordered. 

For those that missed out and would like a check done, please arrange
this individually with Antoinette (before Dec 24) or her successor
(after). 


1.2 Information for Prevention

The OHS unit has kindly given us a number of these, which I have put in
your pigeonholes (see me or the DCS OSLO if you missed out).

Remember, it *can* happen to you, and if symptoms develop, take the
immediate action as described in the pamphlet - ignoring them can lead
to a serious and difficult to reverse condition. 


1.3 Issues with Fourth Year and Master's Students

With a recent serious case of Occupational Overuse, and recognising that
for this group of students there is a greater hazard of strains
(especially at Thesis due time), the CSIT OHS Committee recommends that
co-ordinators for these students warn them of the potential hazard
upon or soon after induction 
(http://cs.anu.edu.au/ohs/minutes/Dec03).

As well as displaying suitable posters in the respective laboratories
for these students, the CSIT OHS will be preparing a suitable slide for
2004. 


Peter Strazdins		DCS Safety Co-ordinator	
			http://cs.anu.edu.au/ohs/