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Vol. 1, No. 1 The VDT Coalition Summer 1983

* THE VDT COALITION * EYE STRAIN:Are you one of this country's 10

million Video Display Terminal(VDT) operators? If not, you soon maybe. It is estimated that VDT's are beinginstalled at the rate of one every 13minutes.Along with the rapid increase in VDT's

has come a growing concern about thehealth and safety aspects of their use."No one knows what the impact willbe of working on a VDT several hours aday for the next 20 years," says LauraStock of the Bay Area VDT Coalition."But we do know that many VDToperators already experience eye pro-blems, muscle aches, increased stressand fatigue. And we are concerned aboutrecent reports of 'clusters' of birthdefects, miscarriages, and cataracts amongVDT operators."It was because of concerns like these

that the Bay Area VDT Coalition wasformed five years ago. Today the VDTCoalition has grown to represent manyunions and CRT operators who areunited around the following goals:

(1) Maintaining a VDT Resource Center--including a library and staff--to providetraining, information, and technical assis-tance to VDT operators and unions.(2) Working for protective legislation

and governmental standards to ensuresafe VDT use.(3) Calling for continued research on

the short and longterm hazards of VDTwork.(4) Publishing Video Views, a quarterly

newsletter to keep CRT operators, unionsand the broader public up-to-date on thelatest information about VDT hazardsand the continuing fight for VDT safety."We've made a lot of progress since the

Coalition was formed five years ago, saysBarbara Pottgen, a Coalition founder andmember of the Office and ProfessionalEmployees, Local 3, "but we have along way to go."The three founding members of the Bay

Area VDT Coalition-- Ms. Pottgen,Barbara Gray of the Bay Area Typo-graphical Workers Union, Local 21, andHelen Palter of the Newspaper Guild,

Local 52--met at a California LaborFederation sponsored "Women in theWorkforce Conference" on health and

safety, in 1978. As VDT operators andunion activists, each went to the confer-ence hoping to find solutions to theproblems caused by the introduction ofVDTs at their workplaces. "While wedidn't find the answers to all our prob-lems, we did find each other," recallsBarbara Pottgen, "and we made a com-mitment to start working together to findcommon solutions to our commonproblems."According to Ms. Pottgen, "All of us

were running into roadblocks in our grie-vance and contract negotiations on VDThealth and safety because it was such anew issue. Our employers were unimpres-sed with studies on VDT health hazardsdone in European countries, so werealized that we had to bring things alittle closer to home."With the backing of 25 local and inter-

national unions, the Bay Area VDTCoalition members petitioned the U.S.government's National Institute of Occu-pational Safety and Health (NIOSH) toconduct on-site inspections of VDT use attheir own workplaces.NIOSH agreed and in January, 1980

conducted studies to investigate radiationhazards, psychological and healthcomplaints and workplace design at twonewspaper agencies and one insurancecompany in the San Francisco Bay Area."The results are now history," says

Margaret Binkley of the NewspaperGuild, "and although we don't agree withthe clean bill of health that NIOSH gaveCRTs on radiation hazards, we think theirrecommendations on visu4FiiiiTEri;breaks and workplace esigRELN lobecome the law of the land with readAoVDT use." continued on p14

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WHAT TO DODr. Juanita Ardly is an optometrist in

private practice in Oakland, California,who specializes in treating problemsrelated to the use of video displayterminals (VDTs). If you have further

questions about this article, call her at

444-1474. She is available to consult with

groups and present talks.

PROBLEMS

Do VDTs result in increased visualstress?VDT operators do report a number

vision-related complaints. Environmentalfactors such as glare, lighting, workstation design and image quality con-

tribute to visual stress. A recent study inthe Dec. 1982 issue of Human Factors,showed that a group of workers workingin jobs requiring a high level of near

work, with or without the use of ter-minals, had approximately the same levelof visual complaints. Thus, it is theincrease in near work, as well as theenvironmental factors mentioned above,that contribute to visual stress.

Can VDTs hurt my eyes?Any kind of intensive near work

performed for more than 3-4 hoursa day can put a strain on the visualsystem that will result in problems.Temporary and sometimes permanentadaptive changes can occur. These includenearsightedness, visual fatigue, suppressed

ilgLsi n in one eye, poor eye teaming,Yand reduced performance in both workand at play.

Wh do VDTs cause problems?NJ1 Dlution developed our eyes to posture

ht ahead and see well into thedistance. However, during the last 200years nearly all our work has shifted toseeing within arms length. Success in our

culture today requires that we see well atnear distance and thus puts a very highdemand on our focusing and convergence

system. Nature did not expect thesesystems to have to work so hard and so

they are not strong. They break downeasily and the result is nearsightednessand eye fatigue--and reduced efficiency.

continued on p. 2

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What happens inside my eyes whileviewing a VDT?Focusing: During VDT viewing, the

focusing (ciliary) muscle in our eyesmust contract so we can see clearly. Afterprolonged viewing this muscle gets lockedin place and can't relax when we lookup. Distance vision maybe momentarilyblurred. The contraction of this muscleover long periods of time increases thepressure in the eye and can lead to near-

sightedness and eyestrain.

Convergence: VDT viewing requiresseveral eye muscles to contract in orderto turn the eyes inward. This ability,called convergence does not come easilyfor everyone. It is not a natural positionfor the eyes and can lead to fatigue.

SOLUTIONS

How can I protect my vision?All VDT operators should have a

thorough visual exam performed by a

behavioral optometrist. This doctor hasreceived special training in problemsresulting from excessive near work. Thesedoctors can be identified by theirmembership in either of these profes-sional organizations: COVD (College ofVisual Development) or OEP (OptometricExtension Program).

Can special glasses help?A behavioral optometrist will evaluate

your visual system and prescribe stressrelieving lenses. Such lenses can trick theeyes into thinking that the screen isfurther away. Thus, the focusing musclewill contract less. These lenses will pro-tect and relax the visual system, reducingeyestrain. Those special glasses are oftencalled "terminal spectacles" as they are

designed specifically for VDT viewing;you wear them only on the job.

Can eye exercises help?Convergence and focusing can be fine

tuned and trained very easily and quicklyto restore comfort. The neuro-muscularconnections between the brain and theeyes can be strengthened through exer-

cises so that the eyes will converge effort-lessly. The cramped focusing muscles can

be relaxed with exercises. Workers exper-

iencing dysfunction (see checklist) willneed a behavioral optometrist to designan individual program using lenses andprisms to make this muscle flexible again.However here is a basic exercise every

VDT worker can use:

FOCUS ROCK: Hold a magazine or

paper sixteen inches in front of you, reada sentence while focusing clearly on theletters. Now look up at a clock andquickly focus your eyes on the numbers.By stages, move the paper closer to your

eyes, an inch at a time. At each stage,

read one more sentence, then shift your

attention back to the clock numbers.

"Rock" your focus back and forth in thisway as the paper gets closer, until you

can't see the words clearly any longer.This exercise will alternately contractand relax your ciliary muscle, to keep itflexible.

What is a vision break?Regular vision breaks will keep your

focusing muscle flexible and uncrampedthroughout the day. To focus on thescreen this muscle must contract. Every5-10 minutes look off for a second at a

specific distant object and let its detailscome into focus. Your focusing muscleis now relaxed and you can return towork.

Can environmental changes help?Machines should have clear displays and

adjustable brightness and contrast knobs.Glare should be eliminated, lightinglevels reduced, and good posture main-tained.

2

Can VDT work be free of visual stress?Visual complaints can be alleviated

through a continuation of correctingworkstation conditions, posture, visionbreaks, stress relieving lenses, and eye

exercises. The result is fatigue-free VDTviewing where vision is comfortable andprotected.

BARGAINING

FOR SAFETY

This column is intended to be anongoing update on labor union efforts toobtain VDT health and safety provisionsfor their members.A growing number of labor unions

have begun adding VDT safety clauses totheir collective bargaining proposals. Infact there are some unions that havealready won meaningful language in theircontracts.

The San Francisco/Oakland NewspaperGuild (Local 52) and the Bay Area Typo-graphical Union (Local 21) have, in their1980-82 agreements, achieved some ofthe most far-reaching VDT safetylanguage to date. Their contracts call forthe employers to provide adjustablechairs, room lighting adjusted to reduceglare, brightness control on machines,glare shields for machines, footrests,height adjustment features, and eyeexams and eyeglasses when made neces-sary by VDT use. Current contractproposals call for, among other things, afifteen minute break for each hour on theVDT.

The Ontario (Canada) Public ServiceEmployees Union has won, in an arbi-tration award, rest breaks, eye care, andthe right to temporary reassignmentduring pregnancy. In addition, thearbitrator called for further negotiationsbetween the parties in order to finalizefurther VDT health and safety measures.A letter of understanding between

California Blue Shield Insurance and itsworkers provides for adjustable chairs,specially designed work desks, footrests,and lighting adjustment.We hope, in subsequent columns, to

provide detailed summaries of gains inhealth and safety protections for thegrowing numbers of workers having touse VDTs for a significant portion oftheir work days.

Examples of VDT contract languageare available in the VDT ResourceLibrary (located at LOHP, 2521Channing Way, Berkeley, CA 94720).Please send us copies of your VDTcontract language so that we can share itwith other workers.

REPRODUCTIVE HAZARDS

In response to workers' concerns thatVDT work may be associated with anincreased risk of miscarriages and birthdefects, the National Institute ofOccupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)is initiating a study of the effects onpregnant women of working on VDTs.NIOSH will follow 6,000 women throughtheir pregnancies and assess whether VDTworkers have a higher rate of spontaneousabortions and birth defects than average.In the current study NIOSH will be exam-ining factors connected with VDT work,such as stress, that could be related toadverse pregnancy outcomes.

Though some experts have pointedto radiation emissions from VDTs as apossible cause of reproductive hazards,NIOSH, according to their 1980 VDTReport, does not believe VDTs releaseharmful levels of radiation.

Microwave News reports, in theirApril issue, that a similar study is under-way in Montreal, Canada. The study,initiated by the Occupational Health andSafety Research Institute is followingapproximately 50,000 pregnancies.

Meanwhile, Dr. Hari Sharma of theUniversity of Waterloo in Ontario,Canada has detected high levels of lowfrequency radiation being emitted fromcertain VDTs and has recommended thatpregnant women not be allowed to workat unshielded VDTs. A federal task forcein Canada has already recommended thatpregnant VDT workers be given theoption of doing alternative work withoutloss of pay.

9 to 5 National Association ofWorking Women, concerned aboutreports of problem pregnancies amongVDT workers, has made a series of recom-mendations to ensure safe use of VDTs.Their proposals include metal shielding ofVDTs, the right to transfer to non-VDTwork during pregnancy without loss ofpay; periodic rest breaks, properlydesigned VDT offices and machines; andthe elimination of machine pacing orcomputer monitoring of employees.

9 to 5 is also setting up a centralclearing house to identify and confirmnew clusters of reproductive problems.They hope to gather documentationto support demands for new research intothe relationship between VDT use andmiscarriages and birth defects. VDTworkers who have had reproductiveproblems are encouraged to call 1-800-522-VDTS.

3N RESOURCES N

A good source of information on VDTs is the VDT Resource Center, housed in thelibrary of the Labor Occupational Health Program (located at 2515 Channing Way,Berkeley, CA 94720). Collected are articles, reports, pamphlets, and informationpackets on a variety of topics pertaining to VDTs and issues involving their use. Thecenter also subscribes to several periodicals such as the VDT Newsletter from theLabour Council of Metropolitan Toronto, and Microwave News, a monthly source ofup-to-date information on non-ionizing radiation with a focus on VDTs. In additionto research on VDTs, interested individuals are encouraged to make use of the LOHPlibrary for a variety of questions releated to occupational health and safety. Thelibrary and resource center are open from 8:30 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. Forfurther information or to make arrangements for special hours, contact Susan Salisburyor Laura Stock at 642-5507.

Below is a list of what is currently on file in the VDT Resource Center.

FILE FOLDERS

1. General information regarding VDThazards

2. Fact sheets3. Visual effects4. Cataracts5. Work station design/ergonomics6. Dermatitis7. Stress8. Reproductive hazards9. VDT studies by the National

Institute of Occupational Safety andHealth (NIOSH)

10. Radiation11. Contract language12. Union action13. Legislation, regulations, proposals14. Court cases: arbitration; workers

compensation

15. VDT survey forms16. Buying VDT equipment (machines,

chairs)17. Filters/anti-glare screens18. Lighting19. OSHA standards board hearings on

microwave and radiofrequencyradiation

20. Testimony regarding VDTs21. Medical surveillance22. International information23. BibliographiesNEWSLETTERS

1. VDT Newsletter, Labour Council ofMetropolitan Toronto

2. Microwave News, a monthly reporton non-ionizing radiation

PUBLICATIONS, REPORTS, INFORMATION PACKETS

1. VDTs Can Be Hazardous to Your Health, Labor Occupational Health Program,Berkeley, 1981.

2. Health Protection for Operators of VDTs/CR Ts, New York Committee on Occu-pational Safety and Health, 1980.

3. The Hazards of VDTs, Ontario Public Service Union, October 1980.4. Guide to Visual Display Units, UAW, 1982.5. "Tomorrow's Technology, Today's Headache," Slide Show, Shop Talk Produc-

tions, NYCOSH, 1980.6. "VDTs: Video Display Terminals--Health and Safety," excerpts from Microwave

News, by Louis Slesin and Martha Zybko.7. New Technologies: Their Impact on Employment and the Working Environment,

International Labour Office, Geneva, 1982.8. Towards a More Humanized Technology: Exploring the Impact of Video Display

Terminals on the Health and Working Conditions of Canadian Office Workers,Canadian Labour Congress, December 1982.

9. Select Research Reports on Health Issues in Video Display Terminal Operations,NIOSH, 1981.

10. "Potential Health Effects of VDTs," Committee Hearings of U.S. House ofRepresentatives, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight, Committeeon Science and Technology, Washington, D.C., 5/12/81.

11. "A Controlled Survey of Working Conditions and Health Problems of VDTOperators at the New York Times," conducted for the Newspaper Guild.

12. Journalists and New Technology, National Union of Journalists, England.

4REGULATING VDTs

Bills which would regulate VDThazards have been initiated in at least fivestates so far this year. These bills, inConnecticut, Illinois, Oregon, Maine andMassachusetts, would all set minimumstandards similar to those recommendedby NIOSH, the National Institute forOccupational Safety and Health, in its1981 VDT Report. Provisions wouldinclude special rest breaks for VDToperators, flexible work stations, glareand lighting control, and eye exams.

Some of the bills contain additionalrequirements, such as employee educa-tion, controls on the size of charactersand screen brightness, and, radiationtesting and control. These types of regu-

lations are also being considered through-out Canada this year.

While many unions across the countryhave started to bargain successfully forVDT controls in their collective bargain-ing agreements, they have also decidedthat regulation is needed as well. This isparticularly true since the vast majorityof VDT workers are currently unorgan-

ized and do not have the protection ofa contract. Thus, unions are taking thelead in protecting all VDT workers.In California, the VDT Coalition is

currently investigating the possibilitiesfor successful regulation of VDT hazards.The Coalition plans to initiate action on

this in the coming year, either throughthe Cal/OSHA Standards Board or thelegislature.

from page

"Their final report," says Ms. Pottgen,"confirmed what we had experienced on

our jobs, that VDT work causes eyestrain,

neck, shoulder and back pain, and a

variety of stress-related complaints,

including depression, fatigue and irrita-

bility." NIOSH made a series of

recommendations for eliminating these

hazards (see box).After a year and a half of hard work,

the Coalition had achieved a majorvictory. The NIOSH report was an affir-mation of the vital role workers and theirunions have in the struggle for a safe andhealthy workplace. Prior to this report

virtually no information was available on

the possible adverse effects of VDTs on

operators. The NIOSH recommendationswere quickly picked up by unions andworkers across the country as a basis forcollective bargaining demands and as a

guideline for legislative and regulatoryproposals. "Of course the NIOSH recom-

mendations were just the first step forthe VDT Coalition," adds BarbaraPottgen. "Now we have to demand more

research (particularly about reproductive

hazards) and to unite VDT operators,

unions, health and safety experts, public

officials, and other concerned citizens

to make sure the NIOSH recommen-

dations are implemented both through

governmental standards and union

contracts. These days, that's what the

Bay Area VDT Coalition is all about."

For more information or to join the

VDT Coalition, call 415/642-5507,

POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARDS OF VDTSNIOSH RECOMMENDATIONS 1980 -- Summary

(National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

Workstation Design Features1. Overall: Maximum possible flexibility should be designed into the workstation so

that it can be adapted to the individual operator.a. Chairs with adjustable seat pan height, backrest height and tensionb. Keyboard height and screen height and position should be independently adjusta-

blec. Screen brightness and contrast should be adjustable

2. Specific Recommendationsa. Viewing distance: between 450-500 mm (18-20 inches) (individualized)b. Viewing angle: range of 10-20° , with the top edge of screen no higher than

operator eye level and bottom of edge of screen no lower than 400 below eyelevel

c. Keyboard height: between 740-790mm (29Y/2-31'/2 inches) (at home row)d. Illumination: 500-700 luxe. Glare control: limit glare through:

drapes, shades and/or blinds over windows whould be closed, especially duringdirect sunlight conditions/ position terminals properly with respect to windows and overhead lightingscreen hoodsanti-glare filters on screen

/ alter lighting fixtures (recessed, covers)/ properly installed indirect lighting systems

3. Work-rest regimens to minimize the visual and muscular problems of VDTand to reduce stress.a. A 15 minute work--rest break should be taken after 2 hours of continuous VDT

work for operators under moderate visual demands and/or moderate workloadb. a 15 minute work--rest break should be taken after one hour of continuous VDT

work for operators under high visual demands, high workload and/or thoseengaged in repetitive work tasks

4. Visual testing--pre-placement and periodically

Summary prepared by Occupational Health Service, University of California, BerekelyMarch 1983

VDT Coalitionc/o L.O.H.P.2521 Channing WayBerkeley, CA 94720

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