Safety and Health Effects of Video Display Terminals

Abstract

AbstractThe prime focus of concern has been on work with visual display terminals (VDTs) as they tend to be referred to in the United States, or visual display units (VDUs) as they tend to be referred to abroad. The major sources of collected information on this topic had been an international conference entitled Work with Display Units (WWDU), and a study panel on visual problems of VDTs organized by the National Academy of Science. In addition, the Human Factors Society (now the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society) had just issued the first ergonomic standard on VDT workplaces. The primary concerns associated with VDT work were associated with the visual problems, levels of radiation, and concerns about pregnancy problems among female VDT operators. (The latter was presumably related to radiation issues.)The WWDU conferences now have become regular biannual events, along with a second series of conferences on human‐computer interaction (HCI International). VDT‐related research has comprised significant fractions of the regular scientific meetings of associated professional organizations such as the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society and the International Ergonomics Society. In addition, there have been numerous special purpose conferences devoted to VDT issues at both national and international levels.Concerns regarding radiation and pregnancy issues seem to have faded. At the WWDU 94 conference. Visual concerns, while still present, appear to have receded somewhat. Presumably this can be related to the significant increases in display quality of VDTs since 1989. However, these concerns have been replaced by the issues of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders.Work‐related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are the source of a great deal of attention and political controversy. Part of the controversy is related to labels, which have diagnostic and insurance implications: these disorders have also been referred to as Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs), Repetitive Motion Injuries (RMIs), and, more recently, Cumulative Trauma Disorders (CTDs). Although these disorders obviously encompass work environments other than offices, the number of office workers complaining of such disorders is large, and the potential risk factors associated with such disorders in office environments form a major portion of this chapter. In making this statement, however, it is important to also emphasize that WMSDs cannot be considered in isolation without also considering associated organizational, psychosocial, and visual factors. Hence, an integrated systems approach is essential.Issues of work‐related musculoskeletal disorders are central to the subject matter of this chapter. Accordingly, WMSDs in general focuses on the specific case of WMSDs in the office are discussed.