RE-EXAMINED PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON THE MINIMUM SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR WORK WITH DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT
Date: 1990-05-22
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: accident prevention, occupational health, occupational safety, protective equipment, video display unit work

COMMISSION  OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

C0M(90) 199 final - SYN 127 

Brussels, 22 M ay  1 9 90 

Re-examined  proposal  for a 

COUNCIL  DIRECTIVE 

on the minimum  safety and health  requirements 
for work with  display  screen  equipment 

(presented  by the Commission  pursuant  to Article  149.2(d) 
of the EEC treaty) 

COMMUNICATION  FROM THE COMMISSION  TO THE COUNCIL 
REGARDING THE REEXAMINED  PROPOSAL OF THE  COMMISSION 
FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON THE MINIMUM 
SAFETY  AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS  FOR WORK 
WITH DISPLAY  SCREEN  EQUIPMENT 

PURSUANT TO ARTICLE  149(2)(d) OF THE EEC TREATY 

The  initial  proposal  for this Directive  had  been  submitted  by  the  Commission 
on  11 March  1988 (1). 

The current  version of the proposed  Council Directive  contains  provisions 
regarding  the design and  ergonomics of workstations  equipped  with display 
screens.  It also  lays down obligations  regarding  the breaking  up of working 
time and  the medical  surveillance of the workers concerned.  The  arrangements 
for worker training,  information, consultation  and  participation  are those 
instituted  by Directive  89/391/EEC. 

The European  Parliament  (on the first  reading) and  the Economic  and  Social 
Committee delivered  their opinions on 21 December  1988 and  28 September  1988 
respectively. 

On 28 April  1989, the Commission  forwarded  an amended  version of  its proposal 
(2) to the Council. 

The Council  adopted  a common  position on 30 November  1989.  This  incorporates 
the changes  contained  in the amended  Commission  proposal and,  hence,  some of 
the amendments  proposed  by the European  Parliament  on the first  reading. 

The European  Parliament  examined  the common  position on the  second  reading on 
4 April  1990 and adopted  it subject  to 30 amendments. 

The Commission  agreed  to  incorporate  17 of these 30 amendments,  either  in 
whole or in part,  into  its reexamined  proposal. 

It rejected  13 amendments,  namely  Nos. 1, 2, 4, 5, 8,  12, 17, 18, 24, 25, 30, 
37 and 40. 

The Commission's  opinions  regarding  the amendments  which  it did  not adopt are 
set out below: 

(1) COM  (88)  77  final 

(2) COM  (89) 195 final 

J 

AMENDMENT No 1 

Amends  references to workstations  in the Directive. 

Comment :  There  is no point  in making  such a change  since the definition  in 

Article 2(b) clearly  indicates the nature of the workstations. 

AMENDMENT No 2 

Asks for an "optimum  level" of protection. 

Comment :  The wording  in the  individual directives  that have already  been 

adopted  must  be  retained. 

AMENDMENT No 4 

Mentions the consultation and  participation  of both  sides of  industry, as 
referred  to in Directive  89/391/EEC(1). 

Comment :  Repeating  such a reference  serves no useful purpose. 

AMENDMENT No 5 

Refers to the Commission's  action programme, which provides for a Directive on 
pregnant women. 

Comment :  Such a reference  is inappropriate  in view of the contents of the 

Directive. 

AMENDMENT No 8 

Introduces the concept of a computerized  information  system to define 
workstations. 

Comment :  This concept  is incompatible with the definitions  in Article 2 of 

the Directive. 

AMENDMENT No 12 

Refers to the definition of "employer" in Directive  89/391/EEcC1). 

Comment :  Repeating  such a reference  serves no useful purpose. 

AMENDMENT No 17 

Gives workers the right to request the employer to take measures against 
hazards. 

Comment :  This right  is already  mentioned  in Directive  89/391/EEcC1). 

(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1 

AMENDMENT  No 18 

Institutes  special  provisions for pregnant women. 

Comment :  The general  problems associated  with pregnant women at work will be 

dealt with  in a broadly-based  Commission  proposal. 

AMENDMENT No 24 

Requires  statistical data to be  included  in the report that the Member State 
will have to present  to the Commission  on the practical  implementation  of the 
Directive. 

Comment :  There  is no justification  for mentioning  such data here; they  are 

not mentioned  in the other  individual directives. 

AMENDMENT  No 25 

Requires  the Commission  to submit a report  to the European  Parliament  during 
the period  allowed  for  incorporating  the Directive  into national  law. 

Comment :  This obligation  is not  included  in the other  individual  directives 

and  there  is no reason  for it to be  included  here.  Since  the 
Directive will, during  the period mentioned, only  be at the stage of 
incorporation  into national  law, any  considerations as to its 
implementation  would  be premature. 

AMENDMENT No 30 

Adds various  requirements  concerning  seats. 

Comment :  Such requirements are too detailed  and are not of major  importance. 

AMENDMENT No 37 

Changes the balanced  participation of workers and/or their  representatives 
into joint decision-making. 

Comment :  In this area,  it is necessary  to remain faithful  to the text already 

included  in Directive 89/391/CEcC1) and  in the other  individual 
directives. 

AMENDMENT No 40 

Lays down additional  requirements  concerning  the "operator/computer  interface". 

Comment :  These requirements  seem to be too detailed. 

C1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1 

Xs 

REEXAMINED  PROPOSAL Or THE  COMMISSION 
FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON THE MINIMUM  SAFETY 
AND HEALTH  REQUIREMENTS 
FOR WORK  WITH DISPLAY  SCREEN  EQUIPMENT 

SUBMITTED DY THE  COMMISSION 
PURSUANT TO ARTICLE  149 (2)(d) OF THE EEC TREATY 

COMMON  POSITION OF THE COUNCIL 

THE 
COMMUNITIES, 

COUNCIL 

OF 

THE 

EUROPEAN 

PROPOSAL REEXAMINED  BY THE  COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT  ITS  SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
Position 
that 
remains  unchanged). 

Common 

the 

regard 

Treaty 
the 
Having 
establishing 
the  European  Economic 
Community,  and  in  particular  Article 
118a thereof, 

to 

regard 

Having 
Commission 
to 
proposal  drawn  up  after  consultation 
with  the  Advisory  Committee  on  Safety, 
Hygiene and  Health  Protection at Work, 

the 

In  cooperation  with  the  European 
Parliament, 

Having  regard  to  the  Opinion  of  the 
Economic and  Social Committee, 

means 

of  directives, 

Whereas  Article  118a  of  the  Treaty 
provides  that  the  Council  shall  adopt, 
by 
minimum 
requirements  designed  to  encourage 
in 
improvements, 
the 
working  environment, 
to  ensure  a 
better  level  of  protection  of workers' 
safety and health; 

especially 

Whereas,  under  the  terms  of  that 
Article,  those  Directives  shall  avoid 
imposing  administrative,  financial  and 
legal  constraints  in a  way  which would 
hold  back  the  creation  and  development 
of small and medium-sized  undertakings; 

Whereas  the  communication  from  the 
Commission  on  its  programme  concerning 
safety,  hygiene  and  health  at  work 
provides  for  the  adoption  of  measures 
in 
technologies; 
whereas  the  Council  has  taken  note 
thereof  in  its  Resolution  of  21 
December  1987  on  safety,  hygiene  and 
health at work; 

respect 

new 

of 

Whereas  compliance  with  the  minimum 
requirements  for  ensuring  a  better 
level  of  safety  at  workstations  with 
is  essential  for 
display 
ensuring  the  safety  and  health  of 
workers; 

screens 

Whereas 
individual 

this 

Directive 

is 

Directive 

within 

an 
the 

COMMON  POSITION Of THE COUNCIL 

PROPOSAL  REEXAMINED  BY THE  COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT  ITS  SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
Position 
the 
that 
remains  unchanged). 

Common 

meaning  of  Article  16(1)  of  Council 
Directive  89/391/EEC  of  12  June  1989 
on  the  introduction  of  measures  to 
encourage  improvements  in  the  safety 
and  health  of  workers  at  work; whereas 
the  provisions  of  the  latter  are 
therefore  fully  applicable  to  the  use 
by 
screen 
equipment,  without  prejudice  to  more 
stringent  and/or  specific  provisions 
contained  in the present Directive; 

workers 

display 

of 

Whereas  employers  are  obliged  to  keep 
themselves  informed  of  the  latest 
advances  in  technology  and  scientific 
findings  concerning  workstation  design 
so as  to be  able to  guarantee a  better 
level  of  protection  of  workers'  safety 
and health; 

Whereas  employers  are  obliged  to  keep 
themselves 
informed  of  the  latest 
advances  in  technology  and  scientific 
findings  concerning  workstation  design 
so  that  they  can  make  any  changes 
necessary 
so  as  to  be  able  to 
guarantee  a  better  level  of  protection 
of workers'  safety  and  health; 

Whereas  the  ergonomie  aspects  are  of 
a 
importance 
particular 
workstation 
screen 
with 
equipment; 

display 

for 

Whereas  this  Directive  is  a  practical 
contribution 
the 
social  dimension  of  the 
internal 
market; 

creating 

towards 

to 

pursuant 

Whereas, 
Decision 
74/325/EEC,  the  Advisory  Committee  on 
Safety,  Hygiene  and  Health  Protection 
at  Work  shall  be  consulted  by  the 
Commission  on  the  drawing  up  of 
proposals  in this  field, 

HAS ADOPTED THIS DIRECTIVE: 

SECTION I 

General  provisions 

Article 1 

Subject 

tf 

COMMON POSITION Of THE COUNCIL 

PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT  ITS  SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
Position 
the 
that 
remains  unchanged). 

Common 

1. This  Directive,  which  is  the  fifth 
individual  Directive  within  the 
16(1) 
meaning 
of 
Article 
of 
lays  down 
Directive  89/391/EEC, 
minimum 
health 
requirements  for  work  with  display 
screen  equipment  as  defined  in 
Article 2. 

safety 

and 

2. The 

of 

provisions 

Directive 
89/391/EEC  are  fully  applicable  to 
the  whole  field  referred  to  in 
paragraph  1,  without  prejudice  to 
more 
specific 
provisions  contained  in  the  present 
Directive. 

stringent 

and/or 

3. This Directive  shall not apply to: 

(a)  drivers'  cabs  or  control  cabs  for 

vehicles or machinery; 

(b)  computer  systems  on  board  a  means 

of transport; 

(c)  computer  systems  mainly  intended 

(c) 

for public use; 

(d)  "portable" 

systems 

not 

in 

prolonged  use at a workstation; 

(e)  calculators,  cash  registers  and 
any  equipment  having  a  small  data 
or  measurement  display  required 
for direct use of the equipment; 

(f)  typewriters 

traditional 
of 
design,  of  the  type  known  as 
"typewriter with window". 

Article 2 

Definitions 

computer 
exclusively  for public use; 

systems 

intended 

For  the  purposes  of  the  Directive, the 
following 
the 
following meanings: 

terms 

shall 

have 

(a)  display 

screen 

equipment:  an 
alphanumeric  or  graphic  display 
screen,  regardless  of  the  display 
process  employed; 

9 

COMMON  POSITION OF THE COUNCIL. 

PROPOSAL  REEXAMINED  BY THE  COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT  ITS  SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL  1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
that  the  Common  Position 
remains  unchanged). 

(b)  workstation: 

an 
display 

assembly 
screen 
comprising 
equipment,  which  may  be  provided 
with  a  keyboard  or  input  device, 
peripherals 
the 
diskette 
software 
drive, 
determining  the  operator/machine 
interface, 
document 
holder,  work  chair  and  work  desk 
or 
the 
and 
surface, 
immediate work  environment; 

including 

printer, 

work 

(b)  workstation: 

an 
display 

assembly 
screen 
comprising 
equipment,  which  may  be  provided 
with  a  keyboard  or  input  device 
and/or  software  determining  the 
operator/machine 
interface, 
optional  accessories,  peripherals 
including  the  diskette  drive, 
telephone, 
printer, 
document  holder,  work  chair  and 
work  desk  or  work  surface,  and 
the  immediate  work  environment; 

modem, 

3(a) 

(c)  worker:  any  worker  as  defined  in 
Directive 
Article 
89/391/EEC  who  habitually  uses 
display  screen  equipment  as  a 
significant  part  of  his  normal 
work. 

of 

SECTION II 

Employers' obligations 

Article 3 

Analysis of workstations 

an 

analysis 

1.  Employers  shall  be  obliged  to 
perform 
of 
workstations  in  order  to  evaluate 
the  safety  and  health  conditions 
to which  they  give  rise for  their 
workers,  particularly  as  regards 
possible 
eyesight, 
physical  problems  and  problems  of 
mental  stress. 

risks 

to 

Employers  shall  take  appropriate 
measures  to  remedy  the  risks 
found,  on  the  basis  of  the 
evaluation 
in 
paragraph 1. 

referred 

to 

Article 4 

Workstations  put  into  service 
for the first time 

Employers  shall  take  appropriate 
measures  to  remedy  the  risks  found 
on  the  basis  of  the  evaluation 
to  in  paragraph  1,  taking 
referred 
particular 
their 
cumulative effects. 

account 

of 

Employers  must  take  the  appropriate 
steps  to  ensure  that  workstations 
first  put  into  service  after  31 
minimum 
December 

meet 

1992 

the 

Ao 

COMMON  POSITION Of THE COUNCIL 

PROPOSAL  REEXAMINED  BY THE  COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT  ITS  SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
Position 
the 
that 
remains  unchanged). 

Common 

Article 5 

Workstations  already  put 
into  service 

Employers  must  take  the  appropriate 
steps  to  ensure  that  workstations 
already  put  into  service  on  or  before 
31  December  1992  are  adapted  to comply 
with  the  minimum  requirements  laid 
down  in  the  Annex  not  later  than  four 
years after that date. 

Article 6 

Information  for, and  training 
of workers 

of 

89/391/EEC, 

Without  prejudice  to  Article  10  of 
Directive 
workers 
and/or  their  representatives  shall 
also  receive  information  on  all 
aspects 
health 
safety 
relating  to  their  workstation,  in 
particular 
such 
information 
measures  applicable  to  workstations 
as  are  implemented  under  Article  3 
and,  where  appropriate,  Articles  7 
and 9. 

and 

on 

Without  prejudice  to  Article  10  of 
Directive  89/391/EEC,  workers  shall 
receive  information  on  all  aspects 
of  safety  and  health  relating  to 
their  workstations,  in  particular 
measures 
information 
applicable  to  workstations  as  are 
implemented  under  Article  3  and, 
where appropriate,  Articles  7 and  9. 

such 

on 

In  all  cases,  workers  or  their 
representatives  shall  be  informed 
of  any  health  and  safety  measure 
in  compliance  with  this 
taken 
Directive. 

Without  prejudice  to  Article  12  of 
Directive  89/391/EEC,  every  worker 
shall  also  receive  training  in  use 
of 
before 
commencing  this  type  of  work  and 
whenever  the  organization  of  the 
substantially 
workstation 
modified. 

workstation 

the 

is 

Article 7 

Daily work  routine 

A  A 

COMMON  POSITION OF THE COUNCIL 

PROPOSAL  REEXAMINED  BY THE  COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
ITS  IECOND 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
Position 
the 
that 
remains  unchanged). 

Common 

The  employer  must  plan  the  workers' 
activities  in  such  a  way  that  daily 
work 
is 
periodically  interrupted  by  breaks  or 
changes  of  activity 
reducing  the 
workload  at the display  screen. 

display 

screen 

on 

a 

a 

on 

screen 

display 

The  employer  must  plan  the  workers' 
activities  in  such  a  way  that  daily 
work 
is 
periodically  interrupted  by  breaks  or 
changes  of  activity 
reducing  the 
workload  at  the  display  screen.  With 
work  that  imposes  a  fixed  posture 
and/or  places  continuous  strain  on  the 
eyes,  adequate  breaks  shall  be  allowed 
during  every  hour  of  such  work;  the 
frequency  of  such  breaks  may  be 
changed  at the request  of the worker. 

Article 8 

Worker consultation and 
participation 

and 

participation 

of 
Consultation 
workers  and/or  their  representatives 
shall  take  place  in  accordance  with 
Article  11  of  Directive  89/391/EEC  on 
the  matters  covered  by  this  Directive, 
including  its Annex. 

Article 9 

Protection of workers' eyes 
and  eyesight 

1. Workers  shall  be  entitled  to  an 
appropriate  eye and  eyesight  test: 

-  before  commencing  display  screen 

work, 

Workers  shall  be  entitled  to  an 
appropriate  eye  and  eyesight  test 
carried  out  by  a  person  with 
qualifications  recognized  for  this 
purpose! 

-  at regular intervals thereafter, and 
visual 
-  if 
difficulties  which  may  be  due  to 
display  screen work. 

experience 

they 

2. Workers  shall  be  entitled  to  an 
ophthalmological  examination  if  the 
results  of  the  test  referred  to  in 
paragraph  1  show  that  this  is 
necessary. 

3. If  the  results  of  the test  referred 
to  in  paragraph  1  or  of  the 
in 
examination 
it  is 
paragraph  2  show  that 

referred 

to 

If  the  results  of  the test  referred 
to  in  paragraph  1  or  of  the 
examination 
in 
paragraph  2 show that  it is 

referred 

to 

4< 

COMMON  POSITION OF THE COUNCIL 

PROPOSAL  REEXAMINED  BY THE  COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT  ITS  SECOND 
READING Or 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
Position 
that 
remains  unchanged). 

Common 

the 

necessary  and  if  normal  corrective 
appliances  cannot  be  used,  workers 
special 
must  be  provided  with 
corrective  appliances  appropriate 
for the work  concerned. 

necessary,  workers  must  be  provided 
with  special  corrective  appliances 
appropriate  for the work  concerned. 

4. Measures 

Article 
involve 
financial  cost. 

taken  pursuant  to  this 
may  in  no  circumstances 
additional 

workers 

in 

5. Protection  of  workers'  eyes  and 
eyesight  may  be  provided  as  part of 
a national  health  system. 

SECTION  III 

Miscellaneous  provisions 

Article  10 

Adaptations  to the Annex 

developments 

The  strictly  technical  adaptations  to 
the  Annex  to  take  account of  technical 
in 
progress, 
international 
and 
specifications  and  knowledge  in  the 
field  of  display  screen  equipment 
shall  be  adopted  in  accordance  with 
the  procedure  laid  down  in  Article  17 
of Directive  89/391/EEC. 

regulations 

Article 11 

1. Member  States  shall  bring  into 
force  the  laws,  regulations  and 
administrative  provisions  necessary 
to  comply  with  this  Directive by  31 
December 1992. 

They  shall  forthwith 
Commission  thereof. 

inform  the 

2. Member  States  shall  communicate  to 
the  Commission  the  texts  of  the 
provisions  of  national  law  which 
they 
already 
or 
adopted,  in  the  field  covered  by 
this Directive. 

adopt, 

have 

4. Measures  taken  pursuant  to  this 
Article  may  in  no  circumstances 
involve workers  in financial  cost. 

The  provisions  adopted  pursuant  to 
the  first  sub-paragraph  shall  make 
express  reference  to this Directive. 

13> 

COMMON POSITION Or THE COUNCIL 

PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT  ITS  SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means  that  the  Common  Position 
remains unchanged). 

3. Member  States  shall  report  to  the 
Commission  every  five  years  on the 
practical  implementation  of  the 
provisions 
of  this  Directive, 
indicating  the  points  of  view  of 
employers and workers. 

3. Member  States  shall  report  to  the 
Commission  every  two  years  on  the 
practical  implementation  of  the 
provisions 
of  this  Directive, 
indicating  the  points  of  view  of 
employers and workers. 

The  Commission  shall  inform  the 
European  Parliament,  the  Council, 
the  Economic  and  Social  Committee 
and  the  Advisory  Committee  on 
Safety, 
Health 
Hygiene 
Protection at Work. 

and 

4. The  Commission  shall  submit  a 
report  on  the  implementation  of 
this  Directive at regular intervals 
to  the  European  Parliament,  the 
Council and the Economic and Social 
Committee,  taking  into  account 
paragraphs 1, 2 and 3. 

Article 12 

This  Directive  is  addressed  to  the 
Member States. 

Done at Brussels, 

For the Council 
The President 

ANNEX 

Minimum requirements 
(Articles 4 and 5) 

Preliminary remarks 

The  obligations  laid  down  in  this 
Annex  shall apply  in order  to achieve 
the  objectives  of  this  Directive  and 
to  the  extent  that,  firstly,  the 
components  concerned  are  present  at 
the  workstation,  and  secondly,  the 
or 
inherent 
characteristics  of  the  task  do  not 
preclude it. 

requirements 

1. Equipment 

1H 

COMMON  POSITION Or THE COUNCIL 

(«0  Display  screen 

PROPOSAL  REEXAMINED  BY THE  COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT  ITS  SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
Position 
the 
that 
remains  unchanged). 

Common 

The  equipment,  when  in use, 
put the workers at  risk. 

shall  not 

The  characters  on  the  screen 
shall  be well-defined  and  clearly 
formed,  of  adequate  size  and  with 
adequate 
the 
characters and  lines. 

between 

spacing 

The  image  on  the  screen  should  be 
stable,  with  no  flickering  or 
other forms of  instability. 

and/or 

brightness 

The 
the 
contrast  between  the  characters 
and  the  background  shall  be 
the 
easily 
operator,  and  also  be  easily 
adjustable  to ambient  conditions. 

adjustable 

by 

The  screen  must  swivel  and  tilt 
easily  and  freely  to  suit  the 
needs of the operator. 

It  shall  be  possible  to  use  a 
separate  base  for  the  screen  or 
an adjustable table. 

The  screen  shall  be  free  of 
reflective glare and  reflections. 

(b)  Keyboard 

The  keyboard  shall  be  tiltable 
and  separate  from  the  screen  so 
as  to  allow  the  worker  to  find  a 
position 
comfortable 
avoiding  fatigue  in  the  arms  or 
hands. 

working 

in  front  of  the 
The  space 
keyboard  shall  be  sufficient  to 
provide  support  for  the  hands  and 
arms of the operator. 

The  keyboard  shall  have  a  matt 
surface  to avoid  reflective glare. 

screen 

The 
shall  be  free  of 
reflective  glare  and  reflections 
liable  to  cause  discomfort  to  the 
user. 

s\S 

COMMON  POSITION Or THE COUNCIL 

PROPOSAL REEXAMINED  BY THE  COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
IT*  5ECOND 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
Position 
the 
that 
remains  unchanged). 

Common 

The  arrangement  of  the  keyboard 
and  the  characteristics  of  the 
to 
keys 
facilitate 
the 
keyboard. 

such 
use 

shall 

the 

of 

as 

be 

The  symbols  on  the  keys  shall  be 
adequately  contrasted  and  legible 
from the design working  position. 

(c)  Work desk or work  surface 

The  work  desk  or  work  surface 
shall  have  a  sufficiently  large, 
low-reflectance  surface  and  allow 
a  flexible  arrangement  of  the 
screen,  keyboard,  documents  and 
related  equipment. 

The  document  holder  shall  be 
positioned  so  as  to  minimize  the 
need  for  uncomfortable  head  and 
eye movements. 

There  shall  be  adequate  space  for 
workers  to  find  a  comfortable 
position. 

(d)  Work  chair 

The  document  holder  shall  be  stable 
and  adjustable  in  all  directions 
and  for  tilt.  Where  appropriate,  it 
shall  be  placed  in  a  suitable 
position  between  the  keyboard  and 
screen  so  as  to  minimize  the  r\Qed 
for constant head and  eye movements. 

The  work  chair  shall  be  stable 
the  operator  easy 
and  allow 
a 
of 
freedom 
comfortable  position. 

movement 

and 

The  seat  shall  be  adjustable  in 
height. 
The  seat  back  shall  be  adjustable 
in both height and  tilt. 
A 
made 
available  to  anyone  who  wishes 
for one. 

footrest 

shall 

be 

2.  Environment 

Space  requirements 

workstation 

The 
be 
dimensioned  and  designed  so  as  to 
provide  sufficient  space  for  the 

shall 

46 

COMMON  POSITION OF THE COUNCIL 

(a)  Lighting 

PROPOSAL  REEXAMINED  BY THE  COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT  ITS  SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
Position 
the 
that 
remains  unchanged). 

Common 

user  to  change  position  and  vary 
movements. 

lighting 

ambient 
so 

is 
Suitable 
required 
provide 
as 
satisfactory  working  conditions 
contrast 
appropriate 
and 
between 
the 
screen 
the 
background  environment. 

and 

to 

an 

shall 

ensure 

Room  lighting  and  spot  lighting  (work 
lamps) 
satisfactory 
lighting  conditions  and  an  appropriate 
contrast  between  the  screen  and  the 
background  environment,  taking  into 
account  the  type  of  work  and  the 
user's  vision  requirements. 

be 

provided 

Lamps  for  secondary  activities 
where 
shall 
necessary; 
be 
they 
adjustable  so  as  not  to  cause 
glare  or  reflections  on  the 
screen. 

shall 

Glare  and  reflections  on  the  screen or 
other  equipment  shall  be  prevented  by 
coordinating  workplace  and  workstation 
and 
layout 
technical 
the 
artificial  light  sources. 

positioning 
of 

characteristics 

with 

the 

(b)  Reflections and glare 

Workstations  shall  be  so  designed 
that  sources  of  light,  such  as 
windows  or  lamps,  and  brightly 
coloured  fixtures  or  walls  cause 
no  direct  glare  and,  as  far  as 
possible,  no  reflections  on  the 
screen. 

Workstations  shall  be  designed  so  that 
sources  of  light  such  as  windows, 
skylights,  transparent  or  translucent 
doors  or  walls  and  brightly  coloured 
fixtures  or  walls  cause  no  direct 
glare  and  no  disturbing  reflections  on 
the  screen. 

Windows  shall  be  fitted  with  a 
suitable  system  of  adjustable 
the 
covering 
daylight 
the 
workstation. 

attenuate 
falls 

to 
that 

on 

(c)  Noise 

by 

emitted 

Noise 
equipment 
belonging  to  workstation(s)  shall 
be  taken  into  account  when  a 
workstation  is  being  equipped,  in 
particular  so  as  not  to  distract 
attention or disturb  speech. 

(d)  Heat 

belonging 

to 
Equipment 
workstation(s)  shall  not  produce 
excess  heat  which  could  cause 
discomfort  to workers. 

1> 

COMMON  POSITION OF THE COUNCIL 

PROPOSAL REEXAMINED  BY THE  COMMISSION 
FOLLOWING  AMENDMENTS  ADOPTED  BY  THE 
EUROPEAN  PARLIAMENT  AT  ITS  SECOND 
READING OF 4 APRIL 1990. 
(The  absence  of  text  in  this  column 
means 
Position 
that 
remains unchanged). 

the  Common 

(e)  Radiation 

All  radiation  with  the  exception 
of  the  visible  part  of  the 
electro-magnetic  spectrum  shall 
be  reduced  to  negligible  levels 
from  the  point  of  view  of  the 
protection  of workers'  safety  and 
health. 

(f)  Humidity 

An  adequate 
shall 
be 
maintained. 

level  of  humidity 
and 

established 

3. Operator/computer  interface 

selecting 

commissioning 
and 
In 
software,  and  in  designing  tasks 
using 
the 
employer  shall  take  into  account 
the following  principles: 

screens, 

computer 

designing, 

selecting, 
In 
commissioning 
modifying 
software  and  in  designing  tasks 
using  display  screen  equipment,  the 
employer  shall  take  into  account 
the following  principles: 

and 

(a) software  must  be  suitable  for 

the task; 

(b) software  must  be  easy  to  use 
and, 
appropriate, 
adaptable  to  the  operator's 
or 
level 
experience; 

knowledge 

where 

of 

quantitative 

or 

facility 
the 

may 
agreement 

qualitative 
be  used 
the 
of 

No 
checking 
without 
workers. 

no  clandestine  checking  devices 
the 
may 
operator's knowledge ; 

without 

used 

be 

(c) systems  must  provide  feedback 
to workers on their  performance; 

(d) systems 

display 
must 
information  in  a  format  and  at 
a  pace  which  are  adapted  to 
operators; 

(e) the 

principles 

software 
ergonomics  must  be  applied,  in 
data 
particular 
processing. 

human 

to 

of 

A% 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(90) 199 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

05 

Catalogue numbei  ; CD-CO-90  193-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-59908-1 

Office for Official  Publications of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg 

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