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Nutella
Beginner March 2013

Occupational health & safety laws - legal help please?

Nutella, 11 January, 2012 at 16:05 Posted on Off Topic Posts 0 11

So ladies, I need a bit of occupational health & safety law advice please before I start shouting my mouth off without the laws in place to back me up.

I am moving office at the end of this week, I work for the Olympics so am currently based in a fairly plush office in canary wharf, during the games I will be based in a little portacabin at my allocated venues but from Friday till games time my dept is moving to what is effectively a warehouse converted into an office for around 150 of us (there are legitimate operational reasons for this!).

Found out a bit more about it today and it will be very basic furniture, temporary heating/air con and portaloos but the main part I’m concerned about is that we are not being provided with any monitors or keyboards, we are expected to work just off our laptops every day. Now I am only 5”4 but having already been doing this for 2 weeks (we’ve run out of desk space in our current office), I am already getting a bad back (and I have a history of it), surely there must be some legal obligation to provide either a screen (so we use the laptop as keyboard), or a keyboard (so we can raise the laptop to use as screen). Trying not to be too arsey about it, this is the kind of setup I expect for our temporary situation at our games time venues but not as a full time desk for over 6 months... My manager said he’s not happy either but will just go out and buy himself a cheapy £10 keyboard, yes I could do this as well but I don’t see why it should be my responsibility IYSWIM...

So, can anyone help me with any UK or EU laws relating to what an employer must provide?

11 replies

Latest activity by Alex, 15 February, 2025 at 16:22
  • ForTheLoveOfMrsBrown
    Beginner January 2012
    ForTheLoveOfMrsBrown ·
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    I don't know what law is but at our work, if you request that your monitor be wall-mounted to get your posture right, they come out pretty sharpish!

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  • Little Pixie
    Beginner September 2011
    Little Pixie ·
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    Don't you have to fill in a new questionnaire regarding your desk everytime you move? Not sure if it is law though. Will see what I can find

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  • Nutella
    Beginner March 2013
    Nutella ·
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    In my old job yes there was a questionaire you had to do when you moved, I even had special arms ordered for my chair so I was sat more 'correctly' (according to Oc Health nurse!)

    Have quietly emailed a contact I have in HR to find out who our Oc Health person is so that I can start making noise. Everyone is unhappy about it but don't think anyone dares be the one that kicks off. Id rather not have to kick off about it as I dont feel that always gets you anywhere so I'd rather go down a more subtle but effective route if I can. I also don't want to just get myself sorted, I want them to accept that they need to provide everyone with what they need..

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  • Storky
    Beginner May 2011
    Storky ·
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    AFAIK there's no legal requirement to provide a keyboard or monitor but there is a requirement to do a risk assessment and to act on the outcome of said assessment in order to provide a safe working environment.

    Can you contact HR to ask when they'll be doing the risk assessment?

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  • T
    Beginner
    Trickers ·
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    Pretty much word for word what I was going to say.

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  • Nutella
    Beginner March 2013
    Nutella ·
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    Update - I have spoken to someone in HR about it, she was appalled and had no idea. She's advised for everyone to email her and then she can raise it whilst keeping us all annonymous (i can't spell..). I feel like I'm spearheading a revolt ?

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  • ForTheLoveOfMrsBrown
    Beginner January 2012
    ForTheLoveOfMrsBrown ·
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    *imagines Nutella riding up and down in front of her troops, to a rousing cry of "They can takes our lives but they can never take our FREEEEDDOOOOMMM".

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  • D
    Beginner June 2022 Morocco
    Daniel ·
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    Understanding the legal system is critical for both individuals and businesses. I had a legal issue related to immigration law that required professional assistance. That's why I highly recommend https://federal-lawyer.com/north-dakota/ which a platform that connects businesses and individuals with experienced immigration lawyers who can provide legal advice and representation.

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  • Daniel
    Beginner January 2026 South Carolina
    Daniel ·
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    It’s important to ensure that your working conditions meet legal health and safety standards, especially if you're experiencing discomfort due to inadequate equipment. Employers are generally obligated to provide a workspace that supports employee health and well-being. If you're dealing with back pain from improper desk setups, you can check Search Maine arrests for details about regulations and rights related to workplace safety. If the equipment doesn't meet ergonomic standards, it may be worth discussing this further with HR or seeking legal advice.

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  • Grace
    Beginner November 2025 Missouri
    Grace ·
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    It’s definitely frustrating to face such challenges, especially when it affects your health. Employers do have a duty to ensure proper ergonomics in the workplace under UK health and safety regulations, including providing appropriate equipment for long-term use. You might find useful guidance by reviewing resources like OR Public Arrests for similar legal obligations and insights into rights enforcement. Addressing the issue collectively with your team could also strengthen your case with management.

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  • Alex
    Beginner July 2025 North Carolina
    Alex ·
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    It sounds like you're navigating a tricky situation regarding workplace ergonomics and the setup for your office. According to occupational health & safety laws, employers are typically required to ensure that their employees have safe working conditions, which may include providing appropriate furniture and equipment to prevent injury. If you're facing issues like back pain, it could be worth reviewing VA arrests info to see how workplace conditions and employee rights are handled in different contexts, which might offer additional insights into legal responsibilities regarding employee welfare.

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