Interactive whiteboards

interactive white board

When it comes to interactive whiteboards, it's not just new teachers and students who are novices.

These new tools can be a great service to learning but there are several health and safety issues that should be addressed to make sure everyone gains.


The introduction and/or use of equipment in the workplace places legal responsibilities on employers, manufacturers, suppliers and designers as far as the health and safety of employees are concerned.

Guidance of the use of interactive whiteboards has been produced by the Health and Safety Executive, which advises that the following measures be adopted:

  • staring directly into the projector beam be avoided at all times:
  • standing facing the beam is minimised
  • use a stick or laser pointer to avoid the need to enter the beam
  • pupils/students are adequately supervised when they are asked to point out something on the screen. 

Projectors should be located out of the sight line from the screen to the audience; this ensures that when presenters look at the audience, they do not also have to stare at the projector lamp. Ceiling-mounting is the best way to achieve this. 

 

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The introduction and/or use of equipment in the workplace places legal responsibilities on employers, manufacturers, suppliers and designers as far as the health and safety of employees are concerned.
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To minimise the lamp power needed to project a visible presentation, employers should use room blinds to reduce ambient light levels. The blinds should be easy to operate, so that once the presentation has finished, they can be readily opened and appropriate light levels restored. 

 

In view of their legal obligations, employers should have in place risks assessments and appropriate, practical guidance to reduce risks to the health and safety of both employees and pupils/students.

 

If you feel that your employer is exposing you to risks or is not carrying out its legal duties, you can also contact the Health and Safety Executive (in strictest confidence). Call 08701 545 500 or email hseinformationservices@natbrit.com.

 

Help and support

For further advice on this issue, ATL members can speak to their school rep, their branch secretary or their regional official. They can also call the London (020 7930 6441), Cardiff (029 2046 5000), Belfast (028 9078 2020) or Edinburgh (0131 272 2748) offices or email info@atl.org.uk

For out of hours enquiries, call the out of office hours helpline on 020 7782 1612 (Monday-Friday, 5-8pm during term time).

If you are not a member, join now.

Further information

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