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a closer look at vdu's A closer look at VDUs

As computers continue to play an increasingly prominent role in and out of the workplace, VDU usage could be affecting your employees’ health in many ways, some not so glaringly obvious.

 

Visual display units (VDUs), monitors and display screen equipment are all one and the same, and are integral to the day-to-day running of most businesses. With employees’ eyes trained on their screens, the subject of eye health continues to increase in importance, according to the London Hazards Centre, a health and safety resource centre for London’s workplaces and community. After surveying people who spent more than six hours a day in front of a computer screen, they discovered that over 70 percent had experienced visual problems.

VDUs have been blamed, often wrongly, for a wide range of problems. However, these problems are often the result of the way that VDUs are used, rather than the VDUs themselves.

Screen gazing

There is no reliable evidence to suggest that long term or extensive use of VDUs can actually cause eye damage or disease. Although those who rely on computers for their job tend to complain of eyestrain more than non-users, this is often due to taking infrequent rest periods from the computer, having the screen in the wrong position, unsuitable lighting, poorly designed work areas or existing eyesight problems. This last cause of eyestrain is one reason why regular eye tests are so important, to help detect and prevent further visual problems.

 

VDU usage regulations

Employers are required to comply with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 regarding the use of VDUs. The main provisions apply to those who routinely use a computer as a significant part of their normal work or rely on one as part of their job. Under these regulations employers must:

  • analyse work stations to assess and reduce risks
  • ensure workstations meet minimum requirements
  • plan work so there are breaks or changes of activity
  • arrange eye tests on request and provide glasses if they are needed
  • provide health and safety training and information

You may wish to encourage employees and safety representatives to take part in risk assessments to identify your organisation’s main areas of concern.

Training to reduce straining

You can offer your employees practical tips, such as how to adjust their chairs and VDUs, getting into a good position for typing or moving the mouse so it’s within easy reach. When employees focus on VDUs for long periods, it is important they regularly take a brief rest and give their eyes a break, simply by looking away from the screen. Demonstrating how their VDU settings can be adjusted for comfortable viewing could also help, as could ensuring lights do not shine directly onto screens.

 

For more advice on working with VDUs and eyecare, visit the Health and Safety Executive’s website www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf (pdf, 112Kb)

Next steps

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    Sources:

    Eye health and computer screens. Healthy Eyes. www.healthyeyes.org.uk. Date accessed 24 May 2009.

    Working with VDUs. Health and Safety Executive. www.hse.gov.uk. Date accessed 24 May 2009.

    Eye health and employers. Healthy Eyes. www.healthyeyes.org.uk. Date accessed 24 May 2009.

    VDUs and Your Eyes. The Eyecare Trust. www.eye-care.org.uk. Date accessed 24 May 2009.

    Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992