VDT Health Hazards: A Guide for End Users and Managers

INTRODUCTION Managers must strive for a healthy and productive working environment for end users. Eliminating or reducing lost work days and improving worker productivity in turn relates to the organization’s profitability. VDT related health issues are important to end users, managers, and the organization as a whole. End user computing is becoming commonplace in most businesses. In 1993 more than forty-five percent of the U.S. population used computers at work according to the U.S. Department of Labor (1997). The proliferation of end user computing creates a host of management issues. One such issue involves the potential health hazards associated with video display terminal (VDT) use. Both managers and end users must address this issue if a healthy and productive work environment is to exist. Government bodies have been addressing the VDT ergonomics issue. Legislation has been created or is in the process of being created to protect VDT end users. VDT related ergonomics should be proactively approached by management. In fact, some companies have ergonomics plans in place that specifically include the use of VDTs. One such company is Sun in Mountain View, California. Sun has reduced its average repetitive strain injury (RSI) related