Video Display Terminals

Misperceptions

• These days everyone uses video display terminals (VDTs) to transmit, receive, and process information
• VDT use has been accompanied by worker health concerns regarding radiation hazards, eyestrain, muscular stiffness, fatigue, and stress
• Research has explored the health and safety implications of VDT usage and found no radiation hazard exists
• The radiation level emitted by VDTs in minor when compared with diagnostic medical equipment, TV sets, FM radio waves, and the natural environment
• Research has also shown that VDTs pose no direct health hazards to pregnant women or their unborn children.
• Health concerns regarding VDT usage include eyestrain, muscular fatigue, and psychological stress

User Guidelines

• Proper lighting and frequent work breaks will greatly reduce or eliminate eye fatigue
• Control glare by placing VDTs parallel to windows as well as parallel to and between lights
• Anti-glare screens also reduce eyestrain
• VDT workers should take a break every two hours of steady work
• Eyestrain is compounded by the fact that many people have some uncorrected eye disorder, so regular vision tests should be part of a VDT user's medical program

VDT Positioning

• Proper positioning reduces muscular fatigue
• The VDT should be placed directly in front of the operator (18-20 inches away) at eye-level height
• Ideal working posture should permit a 90 degree angle between the upper and lower arms leaving the forearms horizontal
• A footrest elevating the feel slightly is helpful
• Psychological stress can be reduced if proper VDT training and education is provided for the worker
• Employers can also reduce VDT related stress by periodically interrupting a user's work with tasks that involve movement about the office
• See Comfortable Computing
• View Intro to Ergonomics (powerpoint).