Rank: New forum user 
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With the increasing use of PDA's (e.g. Blackberry's and iPads) for business use, other than the DSE regs has there been any developments or precidents in this area so that I can write a spicific policy on their use to manage the risks or Blackberry thumb or stress?
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Rank: Forum user 
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Why do you need a specific policy? Never heard of blackberry thumb!
And surely it would just come under the PUWER regs anyway?
Stress?
Do you not have a policy on stress in the workplace anyway?
I would be telling staff to limit periods of use, never use while walking or driving and make sure chargers are PAT tested.
Simples?
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Rank: New forum user
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Rank: Super forum user
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The greatest risk with such devices in my opinion stems from the fact that increasing numbers of people use them (whether for work and/or personal use) in locations and/or at times when it is blatantly unsafe or at least highly inadvisable to do so. This includes whilst driving, walking along pavements and even while crossing roads. Therefore, employers should certainly advise/remind employees about these aspects, although I suspect that few people will heed the advice given their obsession with the devices. Also, it seems that some children are being deprived of the normal amount of parental attention and care they should get, simply because they have parents who are pre-occupied with gawping at their devices.
p.s. As the initials PDA in the thread title were unfamiliar to me, I did a quick internet search and found numerous possibilities: These included Public (or Private) Display of Affection, Percentage of Defectives Allowable, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Progressive Democrats of America (so-titled as to avoid confusion with unprogressive ones?) as well as Personal Digital Assistant and its 'sibling' Personal Data Assistant ! :-)
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Rank: Super forum user 
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The human being can easily adapt to using such keyboards, it's called evolution. Just go and look at any new born baby's hands; they are the perfect size for operating such keyboards so there should not be an issue.
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Rank: New forum user
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Thank you all for the responses, however you may all wish to consider up and coming technology and its affect and effect to the modern work place and staff. Early cases of Blackberry thumb are being noted in the US along with other issues from items such as iPads. Although they are an alphanumeric device, as such the DSE regs are not yet tested to look at these 'telephones'! (has anyone done a DSE assessment for a Blackberry?) Stress policies are in place but at what point do you prevent(or educate) staff responding at 1am to an e mail which could have waited until 9? This is the issue of always being available to respond - there are people out there who live to work!! And if these are primerly a telephone device then my policies are in place to prevent use whilst driving. As for the PUWER regs? - ever seen an ergonomic designed Blackberry!? Have a look at he BBC link below....... http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/...click_online/9756391.stm
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Rank: Forum user
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The biggest risk is retrieving them when they have been dropped down the toilet without having the necessary hepatitis vaccinations.
I hope you all have a control of infection policy, water quality policy, manual handling policy, leptospirosis policy, stress and post traumatic stress policy, toilet usage policy ....If not ban them as they present to much of a hazard
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I wouldn't exactly call myself a techno geek but others might so for what it's worth here is my two-penneth's worth.
First up. The comment about evolution isn't really appropriate, that usually takes tens to hundreds of thousands of year to happen and is usually helped by natural selection. The good book says nothing about 'Tweeters' inheriting the earth.
Next. you should seperate touchscreen devices from micro keyboard devices in any evalalution or assessment you make as the ergonomics are entirely different. having done that, then seperate the touchscreen devices you operate with you fingers and those you operate with a stylus for the same reasons.
Size really does make a difference! the pressures on the body of using a smart phone are actually quite different from those of using a tablet.
Be careful not to overplay the ergonomic card. You can set your workstation up as well as can be but alot of the work will be undone if you have to look at the keyboard to type (which most of us do, me included).
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Rank: Super forum user
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This is an extract from a previus 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-18490433These 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.htmlThe original study article is at:- http://iospress.metapres...02xv6211041/fulltext.pdfThe 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.
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Rank: Super forum user
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