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U.S. Department of Labor

Program Highlights

Fact Sheet No OSHA 95-24

SAFETY WITH VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINALS

The Occupational Safety and Health Noise levels should be kept within comfortable

Administration (OSHA) is often asked about possible limits. Sound sources that are unacceptably noisy

safety and health problems associated with video should be shielded by sound absorbent screens or

display terminals (VDTs). Some concerns include high hoods or placed in a separate room. Absorbent

voltage electricity, ergonomics, and noise. But the materials such as acoustical ceiling tile, carpets,

greatest interest is in whether extreme low frequency curtains, and upholstery also can cut noise.

fields or higher frequency radiation fields emitted by

VDTs pose any problem, particularly for pregnant OSHA has a number of electrical requirements

women. applicable to VDTs. The equipment must be properly

OSHA has no standards that apply specifically safety.

to video display terminals or to extreme low frequency

electric and magnetic field exposure. However, OSHA PHYSICAL DISCOMFORTS: Video display operators

does have standards to protect employees against sometimes report eye fatigue and irritation, blurred

overexposures to radiation, noise, and electrical vision, headaches, dizziness. Others experience pain

hazards. or stiffness in the neck, shoulders and back. These

RADIATION: The National Institute for Occupational physical and environmental seeing where the VDT

Safety and Health (NIOSH), the U.S. Army users work. The relation of the operator to the

Environmental Hygiene Agency, and others have keyboard and the screen, the operator's posture, the

measured radiation emitted by VDTs The tests show lighting, and the background noise should be carefully

that levels for all types of radiation are below those examined to prevent discomfort.

allowed in current standards. In fact, some

measurements show radiation levels so low that they More serious are repetitive motion hand and wrist

cannot be distinguished from general environmental injuries. Risk of these injuries can be minimized with

radiation (background radiation). frequent rest breaks and appropriately designed

Currently, OSHA has no reliable information

that birth defects have ever resulted from a pregnant LIGHTING: Work stations and lighting should be

woman working at a video display terminal. However, arranged to avoid reflections from the screen or

the possible effects of radiation or extreme low surrounding surfaces. Light should be directed so that

frequency fields from VDTs on pregnancies continue to it does not shine into the operator's eyes when the

concern employees. Therefore, NIOSH and others are operator is looking at the screen.

currently conducting major studies to thoroughly

investigate any potential problems. Normal office lighting can be supplemented by

NOISE AND ELECTRICAL HAZARDS: It is unlikely that Task lighting enables operators to adjust lighting to

noise exposures in a typical office setting, even in an their individual preferences.

office with a pool of VDTs, would exceed OSHA

standards. However, a cluster of high-speed printers GLARE: Glare can result from light impairing on oval

without sound screens could produce some potentially reflecting from a VDT screen or shiny keyboard. 

hazardous noise levels. Anti-reflective screen treatment can be added to a VDT

installed, used, and grounded to ensure employee

problems usually can be corrected by adjusting the

keyboards.

individual task lighting at a work station if necessary. 
screen, and later model keyboards usually have an screen and document holder should be the same

anti-glare matte finish. To avoid glare, display screens distance from the eye (to avoid constant changes of

may be placed near a window so the line of sight focus) and close together so the operator can look

between eye and screen is parallel to the window from one to the other without excessive movement of

surface or the windows can be shielded to reduce the neck or back. The incline of the document horde'

excessive sunlight. Walls painted with a nonreflective should be adjustable. Legibility is a prime consideration

medium-to-dark paint can minimize glare. in selecting a display screen. This also applies to

WORK STATION DESIGN: An individual work station include: symbol size and design, contrast and

should provide the operator with maximum flexibility to sharpness.

adjust sitting position, arm and shoulder position and

height of work surfaces. The work station should give Adjustment of the keyboard: A movable

the operator flexibility to reach, use and observe the keyboard is a plus--provided it doesn't end up in an

screen, keyboard and the document. It's important for employee's lap! It can be arranged to suit the type of

employees to receive guidance on making good work and the need to consult documents or notes. 

adjustments to ensure a proper match of the employee,

the equipment and work methods. TASK CONSIDERATIONS: The type of task

In addition to overall adjustability of equipment to fatigue. Therefore, in designing a work station, the type

individual needs, some general guidelines to minimize of tasks a worker does should be considered when

fatigue include: placing the screen and keyboard. Whatever the task, it

Posture support: The seat and backrest of opportunity to pace the work, a breaks, or change

the chair should support a comfortable posture positions.

permitting occasional variations in the sitting position. 

Chair height and backrest angle should be easily # # # 

adjustable. A foot rest may be necessary for short

individuals.

Arms: When the operator's hands are resting

on the keyboard, the upper arm and forearm should

form a right angle. The hands should be in a

reasonably straight line with the forearm. Long or

unusually high reaches should be avoided. Armrests

should permit periodic support as needed.

Legs and feet: The chair height is correct

when the entire sole of the foot can rest on the floor or

footrest and the back of the knee is slightly higher than

the seat of the chair. This allows the blood to circulate

freely in the legs and feet.

Adjustment of screen position: Screens

which swivel horizontally and tilt or elevate vertically

enable the operator to select the optimum viewing

angle. 

Work station surface: The table or work

station should suit the kind of task to be done. It should

be large enough for any reference books, files,

telephone, or text and also permit different positions of

the screen and keyboard. Adjustable surface height is

an advantage.

Eye and screen: The topmost line of the

display should not be higher than the user's eyes. The

document selection. Legibility factors to be considered

performed on a VDT influences the development of

is desirable for the operator to have some control—the