Development of a tool for assessment of VDT workplaces – A case study

Abstract

Council Directive 90/270/EEC is mandatory for all member states of the European Union. This Directive globally specifies requirements in terms of health and safety that should be fulfilled at VDT workplaces. However, the Directive does not offer a tool that could be used by employers and assessors, for assessment of VDT workplaces. In order to design a tool that is completely in conformity with the Directive, the VDT workplace checklist has been created. The designed comprehensive VDT workplace checklist contains 24 areas with 140 control questions. The first 20 areas of the checklist fully meet the requirements of EU Directive. Four additional areas provide the universal character of the checklist, so that it can be successfully used for the evaluation of any human–computer system. In order to check the usability of the checklist and to provide a comprehensive insight into the state of the fulfillment of ergonomic requirements at VDT workplaces in industry, a case study was conducted. The research was performed for 582 VDT workplaces. The application of comparative methods in relation to the checklist did not reveal any additional area, regarding health and safety at VDT workplaces. Additionally, the checklist has proven as the valid and reliable tool for assessing VDT workplaces in the industry. The analysis of the results based on the application of the new checklist clearly indicates the areas within the human–computer system, which can be improved at certain VDT workplaces in industry. In this case study, the causes of registered deficiencies at VDT workplaces are analyzed, and certain solutions for the improvement are also proposed. Relevance to industryThe study provides a useful tool for assessment of VDT workplaces, which is based on application of the checklist. In industry, employers and workplace assessors can successfully use this comprehensive tool for assessment of VDT workplaces.