CELEX: 51990PC0199
Language: en
Date: 1990-05-22
Title: RE-EXAMINED PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DIRECTIVE ON THE MINIMUM SAFETY AND HEALTH REQUIREMENTS FOR WORK WITH DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                       C0M(90) 199 final - SYN 127
                                                    May 1990
                                       Brussels, 22
                      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)
 ---pagebreak---  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
 ---pagebreak--- 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
 ---pagebreak--- 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/EEcC 1 ).
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/EEcC 1 ).
(1) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1
 ---pagebreak--- 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.
C 1 ) OJ L 183, 29.6.1989, p. 1
                                                                                 Xs
 ---pagebreak---        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
 ---pagebreak---  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).
THE     COUNCIL       OF     THE      EUROPEAN
COMMUNITIES,
Having      regard       to     the      Treaty
establishing      the    European     Economic
Community, and in particular Article
 118a thereof,
Having    regard      to    the     Commission
 proposal drawn up after consultation
with the Advisory Committee on Safety,
Hygiene and Health Protection at Work,
In    cooperation      with    the    European
Parliament,
Having regard to the Opinion            of the
Economic and Social Committee,
Whereas Article 118a of the Treaty
provides that the Council shall adopt,
by    means    of     directives,      minimum
requirements      designed     to    encourage
improvements,       especially       in     the
working    environment,       to    ensure    a
better level of protection of workers'
safety and health;
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    respect     of    new     technologies;
whereas the Council has taken note
thereof    in    its    Resolution     of    21
December 1987 on safety, hygiene and
health at work;
Whereas compliance with the minimum
requirements for ensuring a better
level of safety at workstations with
display    screens      is   essential      for
ensuring the safety and health of
workers;
Whereas     this      Directive       is     an
individual      Directive       within      the
 ---pagebreak--- 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).
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    workers      of     display      screen
equipment, without prejudice to more
stringent and/or specific provisions
contained in the present Directive;
Whereas employers are obliged to keep            Whereas employers are obliged to keep
themselves    informed     of    the   latest    themselves   informed    of   the   latest
advances in technology and scientific            advances in technology and scientific
findings concerning workstation design           findings concerning workstation design
so as to be able to guarantee a better           so that they can make any changes
level of protection of workers' safety           necessary   so   as    to   be   able   to
and health;                                      guarantee a better level of protection
                                                 of workers' safety and health;
Whereas the ergonomie aspects are of
particular       importance        for      a
workstation      with     display      screen
equipment;
Whereas this Directive       is a practical
contribution     towards      creating    the
social   dimension      of    the    internal
market;
Whereas,     pursuant        to      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
 ---pagebreak--- 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).
1. This Directive, which is the fifth
    individual     Directive     within     the
    meaning     of     Article      16(1)    of
    Directive    89/391/EEC,       lays    down
    minimum       safety       and       health
    requirements for work with display
    screen    equipment     as   defined     in
    Article 2.
2. The      provisions        of     Directive
    89/391/EEC are fully applicable to
    the whole field referred to in
    paragraph 1, without prejudice to
    more    stringent      and/or     specific
    provisions contained in the present
    Directive.
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) computer      systems     intended
      for public use;                                   exclusively 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         of       traditional
      design, of the type known as
      "typewriter with window".
                    Article 2
                  Definitions
 For the purposes of the Directive, the
 following     terms      shall     have    the
 following meanings:
 (a)  display      screen     equipment:     an
      alphanumeric or graphic display
       screen, regardless of the display
       process employed;
                                                                                           9
 ---pagebreak--- 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        assembly     (b)   workstation:        an      assembly
      comprising          display         screen          comprising      display       screen
      equipment, which may be provided                    equipment, which may be provided
      with a keyboard or input device,                    with a keyboard or input device
      peripherals           including        the          and/or software determining the
      diskette         drive,          software           operator/machine          interface,
      determining the operator/machine                    optional accessories, peripherals
      interface,        printer,       document           including   the    diskette   drive,
      holder, work chair and work desk                    telephone,      modem,      printer,
      or    work      surface,       and     the          document holder, work chair and
      immediate work environment;                         work desk or work surface, and
                                                          the immediate work environment;
(c)   worker: any worker as defined in
      Article      3(a)       of      Directive
      89/391/EEC who habitually uses
      display    screen      equipment as a
      significant part of his normal
      work.
                  SECTION II
           Employers' obligations
                   Article 3
          Analysis of workstations
1.    Employers shall         be obliged to
      perform        an       analysis        of
      workstations in order to evaluate
      the safety and health conditions
      to which they give rise for their
      workers, particularly as regards
      possible      risks      to     eyesight,
      physical problems and problems of
      mental stress.
      Employers shall take appropriate                 Employers    shall take     appropriate
      measures     to remedy        the risks          measures to remedy the risks found
      found,    on    the     basis    of    the       on the basis of the evaluation
      evaluation        referred       to     in       referred   to in paragraph 1, taking
      paragraph 1.                                     particular      account     of     their
                                                       cumulative effects.
                   Article 4
       Workstations put into service
             for the first time
Employers must take the appropriate
steps    to ensure        that    workstations
first    put    into     service     after    31
December      1992    meet      the     minimum
                                                                                          Ao
 ---pagebreak--- 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).
                  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
   Without prejudice to Article 10 of              Without prejudice to Article 10 of
   Directive       89/391/EEC,       workers       Directive 89/391/EEC, workers shall
   and/or their representatives shall              receive information on all aspects
   also receive information on all                 of safety and health relating to
   aspects    of     safety   and     health       their workstations, in particular
   relating to their workstation, in               information     on     such    measures
   particular     information     on    such       applicable to workstations as are
   measures applicable to workstations             implemented under Article 3 and,
   as are implemented under Article 3              where appropriate, Articles 7 and 9.
   and, where appropriate, Articles 7
   and 9.                                          In all cases, workers or their
                                                   representatives shall be informed
                                                   of any health and safety measure
                                                   taken   in    compliance    with   this
                                                   Directive.
   Without prejudice to Article 12 of
   Directive 89/391/EEC, every worker
   shall also receive training in use
   of     the       workstation       before
   commencing this type of work and
   whenever the organization of the
   workstation        is     substantially
   modified.
                 Article 7
           Daily work routine
                                                                                      AA
 ---pagebreak--- COMMON POSITION OF THE COUNCIL                PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION
                                              FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE
                                              EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT       AT ITS     IECOND
                                              READING OF 4 APRIL 1990.
                                              (The absence of text in this column
                                              means    that    the    Common    Position
                                              remains unchanged).
The employer must plan the workers'              The employer must plan the workers'
activities in such a way that daily              activities in such a way that daily
work    on    a      display     screen    is    work    on     a    display     screen    is
periodically interrupted by breaks or            periodically interrupted by breaks or
changes    of    activity     reducing    the    changes    of    activity    reducing    the
workload at the display screen.                  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
Consultation      and    participation     of
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                  Workers shall be entitled to an
   appropriate eye and eyesight test:               appropriate eye and eyesight test
                                                    carried     out   by   a   person    with
                                                    qualifications recognized for this
                                                    purpose!
-  before commencing        display    screen
   work,
-  at regular intervals thereafter, and
-   if     they       experience       visual
   difficulties which may be due to
   display screen work.
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              If the results of the test referred
   to   in paragraph        1 or     of the         to    in paragraph      1 or     of   the
   examination        referred      to     in       examination       referred      to     in
   paragraph     2    show    that    it   is       paragraph 2 show that it is
                                                                                             4<
 ---pagebreak---  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    that    the  Common    Position
                                                remains unchanged).
    necessary and if normal corrective                necessary, workers must be provided
    appliances cannot be used, workers                with special corrective appliances
    must    be     provided    with     special       appropriate for the work concerned.
    corrective      appliances     appropriate
    for the work concerned.
4. Measures      taken    pursuant to this         4. Measures taken     pursuant to this
    Article     may   in no circumstances             Article    may  in no circumstances
    involve      workers     in     additional        involve workers in financial cost.
    financial    cost.
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
The strictly technical adaptations to
the Annex to take account of technical
progress,            developments            in
international           regulations         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.
                   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.
                                                      The provisions adopted pursuant to
                                                      the first sub-paragraph shall make
                                                      express reference to this Directive.
    They   shall forthwith        inform    the
    Commission thereof.
2. Member States shall communicate to
    the Commission the texts of the
    provisions of national law which
    they    adopt,      or    have     already
    adopted, in the field covered by
    this Directive.
                                                                                       13>
 ---pagebreak--- 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            3. Member States shall report to the
   Commission every five years on the              Commission every two years on the
   practical    implementation of the              practical    implementation of the
   provisions    of     this     Directive,        provisions    of    this   Directive,
   indicating the points of view of                indicating the points of view of
   employers and workers.                          employers and workers.
   The Commission shall inform the
   European Parliament, the Council,
   the Economic and Social Committee
   and   the Advisory Committee on
   Safety,     Hygiene       and      Health
   Protection at Work.
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
inherent         requirements             or
characteristics of the task do not
preclude it.
1. Equipment
                                                                                        1H
 ---pagebreak--- 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).
                                                The equipment, when in use, shall not
                                                put the workers at risk.
(«0  Display screen
     The   characters     on the      screen
     shall be well-defined and clearly
     formed, of adequate size and with
     adequate     spacing    between     the
     characters and lines.
     The image on the screen should be
     stable, with       no flickering or
     other forms of instability.
     The     brightness      and/or      the
     contrast between the characters
     and    the   background    shall     be
     easily      adjustable      by      the
     operator, and       also be      easily
     adjustable to ambient conditions.
     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            The   screen   shall  be   free   of
     reflective glare and reflections.             reflective glare and     reflections
                                                   liable to cause discomfort to the
                                                   user.
(b)  Keyboard
     The keyboard shall be tiltable
     and separate from the screen so
     as to allow the worker to find a
     comfortable      working      position
     avoiding fatigue in the arms or
     hands.
     The    space    in   front    of    the
     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.
                                                                                    s\S
 ---pagebreak--- COMMON POSITION Or THE COUNCIL              PROPOSAL REEXAMINED BY THE COMMISSION
                                            FOLLOWING AMENDMENTS ADOPTED BY THE
                                            EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT    AT IT*    5ECOND
                                            READING OF 4 APRIL 1990.
                                            (The absence of text in this column
                                            means   that    the  Common   Position
                                            remains unchanged).
     The arrangement of the keyboard
     and the characteristics of the
     keys    shall   be    such    as    to
     facilitate    the    use    of     the
     keyboard.
     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       The document holder shall be stable
     positioned so as to minimize the             and adjustable in all directions
     need for uncomfortable head and              and for tilt. Where appropriate, it
     eye movements.                               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.
     There shall be adequate space for
     workers to find a comfortable
     position.
(d)  Work chair
     The work chair shall be stable
     and   allow    the   operator     easy
     freedom    of    movement     and    a
     comfortable position.
     The seat shall be adjustable in
     height.
     The seat back shall be adjustable
     in both height and tilt.
     A    footrest    shall     be     made
     available to anyone who wishes
     for one.
2. Environment
                                                  Space requirements
                                                  The     workstation     shall      be
                                                  dimensioned and designed so as to
                                                  provide sufficient space for the
                                                                                        46
 ---pagebreak--- 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).
                                                     user to change       position  and   vary
                                                     movements.
(a)  Lighting
     Suitable     ambient      lighting     is    Room lighting and spot lighting (work
     required      so    as     to     provide    lamps)      shall    ensure    satisfactory
     satisfactory      working     conditions     lighting conditions and an appropriate
     and    an     appropriate       contrast     contrast between the screen and the
     between     the     screen     and    the    background     environment, taking      into
     background environment.                      account the type of work and the
                                                  user's vision requirements.
     Lamps   for     secondary activities         Glare and reflections on the screen or
     shall      be       provided        where    other equipment shall be prevented by
     necessary;        they      shall      be    coordinating workplace and workstation
     adjustable so as not to cause                layout     with    the    positioning    and
     glare    or     reflections      on   the    technical      characteristics     of    the
     screen.                                      artificial light sources.
(b)  Reflections and glare
     Workstations shall be so designed            Workstations shall be designed so that
     that sources of light, such as               sources of light such as windows,
     windows or lamps, and brightly               skylights, transparent or translucent
     coloured fixtures or walls cause             doors or walls and brightly coloured
     no direct glare and, as far as               fixtures or walls cause no direct
     possible, no reflections on the              glare and no disturbing reflections on
     screen.                                      the screen.
     Windows shall be fitted with a
     suitable     system    of     adjustable
     covering       to     attenuate       the
     daylight     that     falls     on    the
     workstation.
(c)  Noise
     Noise     emitted      by      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
     Equipment          belonging           to
     workstation(s) shall not produce
     excess heat which could cause
     discomfort to workers.
                                                                                        1>
 ---pagebreak--- 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).
(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       level of humidity
       shall       be      established      and
       maintained.
3. Operator/computer interface
    In     selecting     and      commissioning       In        designing,         selecting,
     software, and in designing tasks                 commissioning       and       modifying
    using       computer       screens,     the        software and    in designing tasks
    employer shall take into account                  using display screen equipment, the
    the following principles:                         employer shall take into account
                                                       the following principles:
     (a) software must       be   suitable  for
          the task;
     (b) software must be easy to use
          and,        where        appropriate,
          adaptable     to    the    operator's
          level       of      knowledge      or
          experience;
          no clandestine checking devices             No    quantitative    or    qualitative
          may     be    used     without    the        checking   facility    may    be  used
          operator's knowledge ;                      without    the   agreement      of  the
                                                       workers.
     (c) systems must provide feedback
          to workers on their performance;
     (d) systems           must         display
          information in a format and at
          a pace which are adapted to
          operators;
     (e) the     principles       of   software
          ergonomics must be applied, in
          particular       to     human    data
          processing.
                                                                                         A%
 ---pagebreak---                                                                      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
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