As VDT use began to grow, it became apparent that a better design was needed to help people work more comfortably.
This section introduces you to the general concepts of ergonomics and how they apply to working with your VDT equipment. Please left-click with your mouse on the button below to begin.
Ergonomics is a scientific term that means the study of work (IE. Ergo = Work, Nomics = Study of). It simply defines how people interact with their equipment. This can range from the design of a screwdriver handle to the layout of the cockpit for a modern jet fighter. For Visual Display Terminal workstation (VDT) use, ergonomics refers to the design of your VDT equipment, how you use your equipment and the environment where you use your VDT.
Only 10 - 15 years ago, it was quite common to use a VDT that had the monitor, keyboard and system unit all attached together.
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As VDT use began to grow, it became apparent that a better design was needed to help people work more comfortably. |
In recent years, ergonomists and regulators around the world have developed a number of standards governing the design and use of VDT's.
The most important of these include:
"American National Standard for Human Factors Engineering of Visual Display Terminal Workstations (ANSI/HFS 100 - 1988; American National Standards Institute)," "Ergonomics of Design and Use of Visual Display Terminals (VDT's) in Offices (BS 7179; British Standards Institution),"
"Ergonomic Requirements for Office Work with Visual Display Terminals (ISO 9241; International Standards Organization)," and "Minimum Safety and Health Requirements for Work with Display Screen Equipment (90/270/EEC; Commission of the European Communities)."
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These standards describe how the work environment, video display, keyboard and furniture should be designed and measured for VDT use. It is the basis for today's VDT ergonomic designs. |
The major principles of these standards have been used in this program to help you work more productively and comfortably with your computer. This program is intended to supplement, not replace, other sources of employee training and information on the proper setup and use of VDT workstations. For further information on VDT's and office ergonomics, or to arrange formal training, contact your entity EHS department.
VDT Use and Physical Discomfort
In the mid-1970's there were only a little more than a half-million VDT's in use in the US. By the mid-1980's, that number grew to 28 million. By the mid-1990's, the number of VDT's used in the US is estimated to be over 80 million, with several times this number in place worldwide. With the expanding use of VDT's, health problems are being reported in greater numbers and are causing increasing concern.
To a large extent, many physical discomforts and complaints, are caused by the inherent nature of automation.
Before the arrival of VDT's, office work such as typing, filing, sorting, writing, distribution, classifying and document retrieval, were tasks that required physical activity. You can now perform all these tasks with your VDT, remaining seated, in a stationary position, for many consecutive hours.
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Because of this reduced physical activity, increased muscle tension is created in your neck, shoulders, backs and arms, which can cause discomfort and fatigue. |
In addition, because you don't have to vary your tasks, highly repetitive motions, such as keying and mousing, can cause problems over long periods of time.
Of course, many factors contribute to physical discomfort, such as stress, psychological factors, preexisting medical conditions, the nature of your work, etc. Fortunately, as a VDT user, you can control many of the factors to help prevent these problems from occurring.
The old saying "knowledge is power" is particularly useful for preventing discomfort when using your VDT. By having the "knowledge" of how to setup and use your VDT equipment properly, you will gain the "power" to control your own VDT working situation. You are in control of such things as, how high your chair is adjusted, how you sit in your chair, how far away you position yourself to your monitor, how hard you type, how you vary your tasks, what exercises you perform, etc. The list of factors you can control is very long.
By using ErgoSmart, you will gain the knowledge to give you the power needed to help prevent health problems and work more productively and comfortably with your computer.
ErgoSmart is designed to be very flexible in its use. The intent of the program is to help you work more comfortably with your VDT. As there are many different uses for VDT's, so are there different uses for this program.
However, in order to gain the most benefit, you should first perform a self-evaluation of your workstation setup and your work habits. Do this by choosing VDT Workstation Evaluation below. You should then review the information in "How to Setup Your VDT" and "VDTs and Your Health." In reviewing this information, you can concentrate on the areas suggested for improvement from your self-evaluation report. After you have a good understanding of these topics, you can test your ErgoSmart I.Q. with "VDT Common Questions and Answers."