I have been asked the question on whether a hand held I.T tablet conform to H&S regulations in respect of keyboard and monitor useage on site?

any thoughts on this one? I sure common sense should prevail here but new equipment will alway come up againist barriers.

Yes, Risk assessment is key:-



This is an extract from a recent BBC news item with the headline, ”Smartphone users ‘risking health’ with overuse of device”

People are risking their health by working on smartphones, tablets and laptops after they have left the office, according to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
It says people have become "screen slaves" and are often working while commuting or after they get home.
The society said poor posture in these environments could lead to back and neck pain………..
……………………….
The chairwoman of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, Dr Helena Johnson, said the findings were of "huge concern".
She said: "While doing a bit of extra work at home may seem like a good short-term fix, if it becomes a regular part of your evening routine then it can lead to problems such as back and neck pain, as well as stress-related illness.
"This is especially the case if you're using hand-held devices and not thinking about your posture. Talk to your employer if you are feeling under pressure………..
Source and detailed news item:-
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18490433

These issues are not only restricted to smartphones , but a Harvard study, as reported by LA times finds the iPads can be a pain in the neck
http://latimesblogs.lati...ers-ergonomics-ipad.html

The original study article is at:-
http://iospress.metapres...02xv6211041/fulltext.pdf

The conclusion of the study was that:-
The use of media tablet computers is associated with high head and neck flexion postures, especially compared to those for typical desktop computing scenarios. These postures are affected by the type of case used to support the tablets as well as the location of the device (e.g. lap vs table). These data suggest that head and neck posture can be improved through case designs that allow for optimal viewing angles and elevating the device and avoiding lap-level locations. These data are valuable for manufacturers to design future products that promote more neutral postures and increase the comfort of users. Results from these studies will be useful for updating ergonomic computing standards and guidelines, which are imminently needed as companies and health care providers weigh options to implement wide-scale adoption of tablet computers for business operations.


i-pad stand solutions from Posturite:- ( I have no connection with this company!)
http://www.posturite.co....pad-stand-solutions.html