Computer Tablets and Occupational Health and Safety in the Workplace
UK News | LocknCharge
We’ve been thinking about safety in the workplace and the role that computer tablets play in this. What is the current legislation around computer tablets? Do they pose a risk to health and safety, and if so, what can be done about this?
According to OCR, a leading UK awarding body, under The Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), all businesses, no matter how small, have a legal responsibility to reduce the risk of workplace dangers and provide safe and healthy conditions for employees, customers, suppliers and anyone else who could be affected by the activities of the business.
This includes using a risk assessment to identify workplace hazards – and the need to put measures in place to control and minimize the hazards and risks.
Employees have a joint responsibility with the employer to ensure that health and safety is the number one priority in the workplace and to act in a safe and responsible manner.
The most obvious risk with tablets, along with similar devices such as desktop computers and laptops, is a risk of fire due to electronic parts. Therefore, care must be taken when charging or using a device.
After researching the subject of health and safety, we came across an article about Apple chargers, published in 2016. The article advised that when purchasing a new tablet device, it is always best to use the authorized charging method supplied with the new device. However there is a market for fake chargers out there, and this research found that 99% of fake Apple chargers fail a basic safety test.
To conduct the research, The Chartered Trading Standards Institute, a UK consumer protection organization, teamed up with Illinois-based safety testers UL to examine 400 counterfeit Apple chargers from various suppliers. According to the study, all but three of the 400 counterfeit chargers failed a “basic” safety test, in which high voltages were applied to the chargers to see if they had enough isolation to protect against electric shocks.
Another study by Apple on third-party power accessories found that roughly 90% of Apple chargers and cables sold through Amazon were unsafe.
This highlights the need to ensure that iPads and other mobile devices are stored and charged safely whenever they are not in use. Accidents can happen, but employers can take measures to ensure these risks are as minimal as they can be in the workplace. Charging Carts and Stations by LocknCharge offer a way for devices to be charged, synced and stored in a careful, safe and secure manner. Many of our products enclose charging cables and power bricks in compartments separate from the devices, meaning cords cannot be tampered with.
At LocknCharge you can rest assured that our Chromebook, laptop, iPad and tablet charging stations are fully tested and built to withstand heavy usage. Our design and manufacturing process ensures that our products meet the highest standards, with our manufacturing facilities employing robust procedures to certify that customers are getting a high-quality product. That is why LocknCharge products are built in ISO 9001:2008 certified manufacturing facilities and are not just CE certified, but conform to UL STD 60950-1 and are certified to CSA STD C22.2 No. 60950-1. Most products are also ETL certified.
Additionally, LocknCharge offers the first and only charging solution to be endorsed by Apple Inc. in Europe, and we are just one of two charging solution companies offering products endorsed by Apple Inc. in the United States. Being an approved supplier of one of the leading brands worldwide helps schools and other organizations identify LocknCharge as a trusted and respected manufacturer in the UK.
LocknCharge's top-of-the-line syncing technology seamlessly integrates with Apple Configurator.
Our CEO James Symons, says: “We are thrilled to have been chosen by Apple Inc. as a trusted supplier. It further enhances our reputation and gives our customers the confidence to know that our products are of the highest standard. LocknCharge products keep iPads and other mobile devices safe, charged, and always ready for use. This makes the management process so much easier for individuals and establishments, freeing up valuable time to get on with other tasks.”
See more of the article here:
http://uk.businessinsider.com/apple-fake-chargers-study-2016-12?r=US&IR=T
http://www.ocr.org.uk/Images/168825-the-ocr-guide-to-legislation.pdf
