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The well-being of video display terminal users. An exploratory study.

Sauter-SL; Gottlieb-MS; Rohrer-KM; Dodson-VN

NIOSH 1983 Feb; :1-258

00134891

A survey of health and job problems associated with video display terminals (VDT) was conducted among 284 VDT users. The comparison group consisted of 85 clerical workers that did not use VDT. All subjects were office workers employed by the State of Wisconsin and ranged in age from 18 to 64. The subjects were administered questionnaires on site. No significant differences were found between VDT users and comparisons in the degree of job dissatisfaction or affective or somatic disturbances. A higher incidence of eye and musculoskeletal strain occurred among the VDT users. VDT users reported less independence and skill utilization in their work, less staff or supervisory support, and greater physical environmental problems than comparisons. No significant differences between VDT users and comparisons occurred for health effects related to the specific type of work. Eye strain among VDT users was primarily related to the display and ambient lighting quality, and chair and work station configuration. The authors conclude that there is no evidence of overall significantly increased strain resulting from VDT use. Further research is recommended as VDT operators show more stress in some job categories than the comparisons.

NIOSH-Contract; Occupational-psychology; Eye-strain; Computers; Office-workers; Office-equipment; Ergonomics; Workplace-studies; Optical-aids; Contract-210-79-0034; Video display terminals

19830201

Final Contract Report

Contract

1983

PB84-240449

A13

Contract-210-79-0034

DBBS

Division of Biomedical and Behavioral Science, NIOSH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Cincinnati, Ohio

WI; OH