What is the Video Display Terminal Issue - Assignment Example

What is ‘the video display terminal issue’? (1200 words) The video display terminal issue or VDT issue revolves around the time employees spend in front of a computer screen. The VDT issues range in eye strain to headaches. The symptoms generally disappear after the worker quits looking at the VDT. However, symptoms do not always go away. These employees must do another job or lessen their time looking at a VDT. Breaks from their computers can help employees lessen the symptoms of VDT exposure. The VDT issue must be addressed by every business using any type of video display terminals. A video display terminal is a video screen with a keyboard. This is most commonly related to computers, since they have a video display and a keyboard. Other examples are cash registers, PDA’s, newer cell phones, and other video display mechanisms that have a keyboard or keypad. Not only do workers experience VDT’s at work, but at home as well. This will increase the adverse affects of VDT exposure. Caution should be taken when dealing with all VDT mechanisms. Many jobs today in the office field today are computer driven. A minimum of eight hours in front of a computer can damage or affect workers negatively. When a worker goes home uses cell phones, home computers, or PDA’s, the number of hours spent in front on a VDT will be in excess of eight hours a day. This amount of time in front of a VDT will not only affect workers negatively, but decrease worker productivity as well. VDT affects range from mild to severe. Most of VDT complaints are neck/shoulder pain, headaches, blurred vision, eyestrain, headaches, and other vision problems (Salibello and Nilsen 1995:679). All of these symptoms decrease worker productivity by making the worker ill. Neck/shoulder pains make a worker rub their neck and shoulders more. Workers tend to focus on their pain center instead of productivity. This symptom can also produce restless nights making workers come in tired and sluggish. Headaches cause lack of focus. Workers again focus on their pain center instead of productivity. Blurred vision causes the worker to strain their eyes even further trying to read the screen. Eyestrain causes most of the other symptoms. Eyestrain causes headaches, blurred vision, and other vision problems. Other vision problems include black spots, total darkness lasting seconds or longer, and other interference involving an individual’s vision. All of these symptoms reduce worker productivity. If symptoms grow more intense, an employee might even become disabled. The company then opens themselves up for litigation. Other health factors are not as obvious as the ones listed above. One health issue is dust particle attraction toward a VDT screen. Many people allergic to dust or other airborne allergens might suffer from red eyes, rash, or sinus problems. Cleaning the computer screen frequently can prevent allergens from affecting workers. There are discussions about radiation emitting from VDT. No tests have been conclusive about radiation from a VDT screen harming workers have been found. The concern is still present however, especially in pregnant women. These health issues are not as common, but can impact worker productivity as well. VDT’s themselves can be harmful, but placed incorrectly a VDT can cause even more damaged. When placing a VDT in an office lighting consideration is vital. Different workers need different types of lighting. Older workers will require more light than younger workers (Werner, Peterzell, and Scheetz 1990:215). Glare from natural light sources must be prevented. This can be accomplished by artificial lighting and desk placement options. A balance must be achieved by light and the VDT screen. This might mean a lower light level than used for other office work. Worker feedback can also help desk placement. Lighting needs to be considered when placing VDT desks. There are several ways to combat negative VDT affects. The first way to combat negative VDT affects is correct placement of equipment. Computer screens are often not placed properly. By implementing the suggestions in a user manual for the computer, much of the adverse affects of a VDT. Computer manuals are created for a reason. In today’s society most workers and employees feel competent around computers, so little attention is paid to the user manual. This is a common mistake that can cause VDT issues. Use of an owner’s manual could reduce adverse affects on workers. Another method of combating negative VDT affects is using a monochrome color for data entry. Black on white or white on black is more affective than other colors when a worker is doing data entry. This is not a good solution for web designers or workers that research on the Internet. Every worker will find a different comfort zone concerning computer colors. This is why employers need to allow workers to change personal work terminals to the worker’s comfort level. Color, background, and brightness can affect workers differently, thus by allowing them to choose their comfort level productivity will rise. Location of the screen is another way to lessen negative VDT affects. Most experts recommend twenty to twenty-eight inches away from a VDT screen (Sheedy 1995). This varies due to font size and an individual’s vision. Some workers will need a larger font to see the words on their computer. This is another reason employers need to allow workers to personalize their work terminals. The personalization of an individual’s computer can reduce the symptoms of VDT issues. Frequent breaks can also help reduce negative effects of VDT exposure. This can also help worker productivity. Instead of sitting at a computer for eight hours straight, workers could be given tasks every hour or half hour that take them away from the computer for a few minutes. Workers could empty trash receptacles, make copies, file, use the phone, or even take short breaks. For an eight hour shift, five minutes for every hour (not including a thirty minute lunch) would be thirty-five minutes. This is comparable to breaks given by most business anyway. Work productivity would rise due to lessening the symptoms and illnesses caused by over exposure to a VDT. Finally worker feedback could be the best defense against the VDT issue. If a worker is complaining about eyestrain, headache, allergies, or other symptoms of over exposure to a VDT, employers need to find a solution that agrees with the worker. An employee might need to be relocated in another position, or given frequent breaks. Workers are all different and require to have individual needs met in order to have worker productivity. If an employer ignores an employees needs, work productivity is low. Managers and companies want to prevent low work productivity, so worker feedback is invaluable. The video display terminal issue is an important one to ergonomics. Companies want to create high worker productivity, but cannot if workers are hurt or ill. The symptoms of neck/shoulder pain, headaches, blurred vision, eyestrain, headaches, and other vision problems cause worker productivity to suffer. If employers take the right steps, VDT exposure does not have to be an issue. Since VDT work is becoming more common, business need to prepare before symptoms become a problem. With worker feedback and management’s willingness to listen, VDT exposure can be productive. Employers need to implement plans for VDT exposure by researching current VDT trends and solutions. 2- Complete the table below (reading 3.1) System Life Cycle Phases 1 2 3 4 Name Conceptual Phase Name Definition Phase Name Acquisition Phase Name Operational Phase Concept to satisfy the mission requirements. Articulation of system concept in greater detail. Design is frozen in-plant testing of subsystems and preliminary field testing begins. Testing of the entire system under near operational conditions. 1 2 3 4 Name Name Name Name Conceptual Phase Definition Phase Acquisition Phase Operational Phase 3. Read reading 3.2. On the basis of your reading mark T (True) or F (False) after the short statement below. Operating a control in the reverse of the required movement is an error sometimes made by pilots of aeroplanes. _True_______________________ 4. Explain in one sentence what the pictures below tell (reading 3.2). Different shape labeling of controls can help an operator recognize controls with greater ease and reduce errors. 5. What is link analysis? (Four points maximum: reading 3.4) 1. Items considered most important for the task involved. 2. Items used most frequently in regular operation. 3. Any items used together in a sub-sequence. 4. Any items related to each other by function. 6. What does the following picture say? (3 sentences maximum 40 words: reading 3.5.) 1. Comparison of two groups show trainees in electronic assembly have better results by bending pliers, not their wrists. 2. Workers with bent pliers and stiff wrists stabilized with in the second week. 3. 15 out of 40 workers remained unimpaired. 7- True or false? (according to Linda Trent in reading 3.7). Write T or F in the space provided. -Many researchers have concluded that, in general, cool colours tend to calm people while warm colours excite them. True 8. Is the following sentence true or false (according to Rowe in reading 4.1)? If trigger finger has been present for more than a very few weeks, conservative treatment will still usually be able to help. (Please tick.) True ____________ False ____X_________ 9. According to Woolard in reading 4.2, the course of repetition/strain disorder would not appear to have some relationship to occupation. True or False? (Please tick.) True ____________ False _____X________ 10. Bammer (reading 4.5) argues that there are four generally accepted causes of repetitive motion injuries. Name them. 1. Rapid repetitive movements 2. Less frequent but more forceful movements 3. Static loading 4. Awkward body positions 11. The following diagram is reproduced from reading 4.6. What does it say? (One Sentence). Three to four times as much muscle force is required to (A) hold a container by pinching as (B) in a power grip. 12. Explain the following diagram taken from reading 4.7. (Two sentences maximum ) 1. Arm position needs to be at a 90 degree forearm horizontal angle like (A). 2. (B) and (C) are typical observed positions. 12. According to Dr Mackay (1989, p. 965) (reading 4.8) psychosocial factors are at least as important as physical characteristics of workplaces in influencing health and well-being. Summarise the author’s view in (120 words). Dr. Mackay believes that psychosocial environments in the workplace make a worker feel safe or in danger. A worker that deals with an environment that they perceive as dangerous will become ill from dread. These individuals do not want to go to work, so tardiness, absences, and other reasons not to go to work are frequently used. When a worker is uncomfortable with an environment the psychological effects lower work productivity. Dr. Mackay believes more research needs to be available about psychosocial and psychological factors on a work place and its ergonomics. Bibliography Salibello C, and E. Nilsen. (1995). Is there a typical VDT patient? A demographic analysis. J Am Optom Assoc. 66(8):479-83. Sheedy J. (1995). Vision at computer displays. Walnut Creek, CA: Vision Analysis. Werner J, D. Peterzell, A.J. Scheetz. (1990). Light, vision and aging. Optom Vis Sci. 67(3):214-229. .. Read More