Chairs in ICT Rooms

[jsnetman]

However, employers have more general duties under other legislation such as the Health and Safety at Work Act etc 1974 which require work activities to be undertaken in a way that does not create risks to others (such as children or the public).

 

OK DSE regulation does not apply to children (I guess because thay are not supposed to be at computers for long periods) but would fall under the act of 1974 stating that a safe enviroment for all activities should be provided, a pupil sitting at a computer for more than 1 hour would fall under that act.

[Guest theeldergeek]

OK DSE regulation does not apply to children (I guess because thay are not supposed to be at computers for long periods) but would fall under the act of 1974 stating that a safe enviroment for all activities should be provided, a pupil sitting at a computer for more than 1 hour would fall under that act.

 

The child can sit on a stool for an hour if necessary. There is nothing in any act relevant to students which states what furniture is required as a minimum. There are recommendations and there is personal opinion, but neither matter in law.

 

If it is safe for a student to sit on a stool, then a stool it is.

 

Common sense should prevail - Each school has a duty of care, not an obligation to provide the most comfortable of seating. If a student has an issue with the seating being unsuitable, i.e. they have a medical condition or the seating causes the onset of a medical condition, then the school has responsibility under Health & Safety legislation. If the student is simply getting a 'numb bum', then there is no requirement to act.

Edited July 9, 2010 by theeldergeek

[enjay]

OK DSE regulation does not apply to children (I guess because thay are not supposed to be at computers for long periods) but would fall under the act of 1974 stating that a safe enviroment for all activities should be provided, a pupil sitting at a computer for more than 1 hour would fall under that act.

 

True enough. A pupil sat at a computer for an hour (or 30 seconds) would be subject to Health & Safety Act entitlements, but this does not specifically mean they get a height-adjustable chair, merely - as you say - that their environment is safe and appropriate. If you believe a non-height-adjustable chair to be safe, then you can give them one. Just like you do in their maths room.

[soveryapt]

Each school has a duty of care, not an obligation to provide the most comfortable of seating.

 

You're right, it doesn't have to be the most comfortable (I mean what chairs of the plastic mould / stool variety are) but certainly the most practical for the situation in which they're in.. And if a stool is found to be the most practical then fine.. I still stand by that personally (and I know it's opinion not law) a school should endeavour to provide the most suitable equipment for the environment it is in and that equipment should be adequately adjustable for the varying body types (as mentioned year 7 girl vs year 13 boy) ..

 

Of course, as I pointed out previously, if a student has specific medical requirements due to a disability or whatnot, then it is for the school to assist in the provision of the relevant equipment / seating / workstations / software etc by working with the pupil and their medical advisors to ensure that the pupil in question is not discriminated against in their learning pathway due to their medical requirements..

 

It's one of those things that some schools will go the extra mile for their pupils comfort, others will use the fact there is no law to enforce such things as a way to cost cut.. N'er mind..

[Guest theeldergeek]

It's one of those things that some schools will go the extra mile for their pupils comfort, others will use the fact there is no law to enforce such things as a way to cost cut.. N'er mind..

 

Which is much the point I was making. It's no use the Op going to their head of year of whatever, and misquoting H&S, DSE Regulations and such like, only to come away looking stupid when in fact those acts don't apply.

 

All they can do, is go to the relevant person and express valid opinions as to why certain seating should be introduced.

[simpsonj]

Could always try these: RM.com Shop: Isis Newton Chair - Senior

 

Had them put into our main ICT suites, and they seem to go down reasonable well. They're comfortable enough for an hours lesson, and not likely to fall apart at any point.

 

We were advised by the H+S officer to install height adjustable chairs for our ICT suite, but whether that was written in stone or not I couldn't tell you.