Workers who use laptop computers suffer from a catalogue of health problems including headaches, eye, back and arm pain, according to a new report.

Britain's biggest union, Unison, which surveyed 500 careers advisers, called for a shake-up of working practices so that laptops were replaced by office-based personal computers.

Unison wants laptops replaced by office-based PCs

Careers advisers have to carry laptops between school and college sites, often over long distances and sometimes work on them while they travel on buses or trains.

Unison said some laptops could weigh up to nine kilos if they included printers and paper.

Keith Sonnet, the union's head of local government, said: "Careers advisers cannot be expected to carry their office from place to place.

"The only way to avoid injuries is to have personal computers provided in schools and colleges."

"Where this is not a viable option, they should only be used after carrying out thorough risk assessments."

Unison is to publish its own guidelines for members giving practical steps on how to avoid health problems.
 

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