Health and Safety

It’s important to be aware of the health and safety implications of using projection equipment such as interactive whiteboards in the classroom, particularly if children are tot stand in front of the beam when interacting with the board.  All projectors, if misused, have the potential to cause eye damage; so some simple guidelines should be followed:

• Make clear to all users that no one should stare directly into the beam of the projector
• When entering the beam, users should not look towards the audience for more than a few seconds
• Encourage users to keep their backs to the projector beam when standing in it
• Children should be supervised at all times when a projector is being used

A maximum of 1,500 ANSI lumens is normally adequate for projection equipment in most classroom environments. The only exception might be extreme ambient lighting conditions. In this case the advice is to use window blinds rather than increasing the brightness of the projector.

When purchasing or using a projector for purposes when it is likely that a person will be standing in front of the beam, consider using a method of brightness reduction, such as a neutral density filter or brightness adjustment facility. These modifications can be removed or adjusted for other purposes such as cinema projections, when no one will be standing in front of the beam, allowing the projector to be used to its full potential.

It is recommended that health and safety notices are posted adjacent to interactive whiteboards, although the content or posting of such notices is not a requirement under law, it should be considered as best practice.

Latest Health and Guidance from Becta