Posted By Bill Harvey Had a trawl around the Internet and found a document on the HSE website but thought I`d ask the question here as well. I work in a government office where we all sit staring at a computer monitor all day at times for hours on end. My eyes are staring to get very tired and I`d just like to check up on what the recommended timings between staring and resting are and under what legislation. I have read between 50-120 minutes with a 15-20 minute break dependant on what kind of use? Many thanks

Posted By MT You'd be best looking at L26, which is "Work With Display Screen Equipment", the guidance document which accompanies the DSE Regulations. Reg 4 deals with the Daily Work Routine of Users, and there is guidance on "nature and timing of breaks or changes in activity". I note that the guidance states: "Short, frequent breaks are more satisfactory than occasional, longer breaks: for example a 5-10 minute break after 50-60 minutes continuous screen and/or keyboard work is likely to be better than a 15-20 minute break every 2 hours."

Posted By Tabs Micro-breaks are even better ... Current wisdom is that looking away and focusing on a distant object every few minutes will lessen the strain on the eye muscles and thus reduce tiredness. (Pick something other than the clock though - don't want to get the reputation of a clock watcher lol). If you print items, set the printer away from the desk so that you have to get up and walk a few steps to retrieve it - really does make a difference. Good news is that whilst what you are experiencing is uncomfortable, current thinking is that you are not doing any long-term damage to yourself.