The safe use of visual display units

Abstract

The use of visual display units (VDUs) has been increasing throughout the world in the last decade. The most common type of VDU uses the cathode ray tube, and this has resulted in concern among the public about possible adverse effects of radiation exposure from VDU use. Radiation emission from the VDU is negligible and has not been shown to be harmful to health, or to cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, many full-time VDU users often complain of visual discomfort, musculoskeletal discomfort of the neck, lower back and upper limbs, and psychosocial problems. The likelihood of having such complaints is positively associated with the duration of hours worked per day, the nature of the work, work schedules and workload, and workstation design and layout, rather than the VDU technology per se. Such complaints are often transient and resolve rapidly when stopping work. Other alleged adverse health effects of VDU use, such as skin complaints, have been discounted. Guidelines on the safe use of VDUs have been issued by various industrial corporations and national institutions. The guidelines generally address three main areas, viz (1) the provision of a suitable workstation and work environment, (2) good work technique and work schedules, and (3) preplacement and periodic health examinations for the detection and correction of personal impairments. The implementation of these guidelines will resolve many of the potentially correctable factors which result in many of the adverse health effects associated with VDU use.