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Quality Practice
26 Inside News
At its meeting in February 2016, the
Faculty of Clinical Radiology (FCR)
Council endorsed a proposal to develop
standards relating to workplace health
and safety for radiologists.
Over the last decade our workplace has
changed beyond recognition. Gone are
the days of viewing boxes and heavy
bags of films. No longer do we use
dictaphones and tapes. We no longer
walk to collect piles of films, stand to put
up films or walk to put tapes and request
forms aside for typing. Instead we sit for
hours in front of a computer and a set of
screens.
While our backs may no longer be at
risk from carrying loads of films, we face
a new set of workplace health issues:
those related to constant sitting and
keyboard use. These include repetitive
strain injuries to our wrists and hands
and musculoskeletal strain to our necks,
backs and upper limbs. We also face
issues, only just being recognised in the
occupational health and safety literature,
related to our increasingly sedentary
work style.
Occupational health and safety related
to computer use has been recognised
as a risk for computer-based workers
for many years and there are standards
for keyboard operators. These are not
always recognised as being applicable
to radiologists and all too often a
‘one-size-fits-all’ workplace is provided,
rather than the recognised occupational
health and safety requirements to fit a
keyboard operator’s workplace to her/
him.
The Royal College of Radiologists (RCR)
in the United Kingdom recognised
this issue in 2008 when it published
‘Ergonomics’ as part of a set of
guidance documentsi on information
technology in the radiology workplace.
In this document they describe the need
to fit the workplace to the radiologist.
Guidance is given on the appropriate
layout of computers and peripherals and
the importance of noise, lighting and
temperature in a safe workplace.
Examples of the guidance provided
include advice on:
• Reducing musculoskeletal strain and
injuries
o seating: fully adjustable back, height
and arm
o monitors: at arm’s length
o breaks: time for regular breaks from
computer use
o peripherals: keyboard and pointing
devices (e.g. mouse) placed to
avoid poor static postures
• Lighting
o monitors: individually dimmable for
optimal viewing of radiology images
o papers: focused lighting for reading
documents
• Temperature
o heat reduction: computers and
monitors emit heat: air-conditioning
is needed to maintain a safe
ambient temperature
• Noise
o extraneous sound: using noise
reducing materials in rooms
o equipment: reducing noise from
cooling fans.
A well-designed workplace not only
protects radiologists’ wellbeing, it also
improves efficiency and reduces error.
The Faculty of Clinical Radiology Council
has agreed that we need our own
standards for safe workplaces to assist
our members. Until we have developed
this document we commend the RCR
standards and in Australia the work
health and safety legislation in each
state/territory which can be accessed
via the Safe Work Australia websiteii
and in New Zealand via WorkSafe New
Zealandiii, for your review and reference.
Dr Catherine Mandel
Your Health and Safety at Work:
FCR Council Working to Help You
References
i Ergonomics, BFCR(08)3 The Royal College of
Radiologists 2008, London United Kingdom
radiology/pdf/BFCR(12)7_Ergonomics.pdf
ii Safe Work Australia http://www.
iii WorkSafe New Zealand .