This Safety Alert has been issued by Somerset Council’s Health and Safety Service following a national alert from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). It aims to ensure that school leaders, managers, and staff are fully aware of the serious risks associated with certain motorised height adjustable display screen stands, particularly those used in classrooms and communal learning areas.
This document applies to all Somerset Council Maintained schools who may, during their work activities, be using height adjustable display screen stands. Certain motorised display screen wall mounts intended for use in schools and educational establishments are a serious risk of injury.
Outline of the problem:
These stands or mounts include a motorised height adjustable riser column fixed to the floor or wall (or both), with an attached frame to which a display screen is mounted.
The weight of the combined unit including the riser column, frame and screen can be significant, up to 150kg. In some designs the riser column motors are also capable of applying significant force.
The HSE is aware of incidents involving this type of equipment falling forward resulting in significant impact and crushing injury to young children.
Key hazards identified
• Crushing Risk: There is a significant risk of crushing between the bottom edge of the screen (or its mounting frame) and any fixed object, such as furniture or flooring.
• Unstable Movement: Unauthorised or untrained use of motorised controls – especially by children or vulnerable individuals – can cause the screen to collide with objects or become unstable.
• Unintended Activation: In some cases, the controls may be activated accidentally, leading to sudden and unsafe movement of the screen.
Learn more:
Somerset Council’s Safety Alerts
EEC Risk Assessments
Risk from height adjustable display screen stands in schools and other education settings – HSE
