A workplace safety warning telling employees not to put laptops on their laps has left Blacktown woman Kerrie Wehbe amused after she encountered it during training for a new job.
Wehbe said the instruction appeared in a Work, Health and Safety learning module she had recently completed, prompting her to reflect on the absurdities of modern working life.
“Laptops must not be put on your lap,” the module stated. “Oh, modern life! I really had to laugh,” Wehbe said.
Despite the wording, the advice is consistent with workplace guidance. Britain’s Health and Safety Executive recommends using laptops on a suitable surface and avoiding prolonged use in positions that can encourage poor posture or discomfort from heat. ([books.hse.gov.uk](https://books.hse.gov.uk/gempdf/L26.pdf?utm_source=openai))
The guidance reflects the compromises built into portable computers, which can force users to bend their necks or work with their arms at an uncomfortable height when used without a desk, stand or separate keyboard.
