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A study of video display terminal workers
Journal of Occupational Medicine. : Official Publication of the Industrial Medical Association
|February 1, 1983
Summary
Video Display Terminal (VDT) use in directory assistance did not significantly increase physical discomforts, except for neck strain. VDT operators reported higher job satisfaction compared to those using paper records.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Ergonomics
Background:
- Reports suggest Video Display Terminal (VDT) operation may cause physical and psychological distress.
- Understanding the impact of VDTs on worker well-being is crucial for workplace design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare physical discomforts and job satisfaction between VDT operators and those using paper records.
- To investigate the specific health effects associated with VDT use in an occupational setting.
Main Methods:
- A study compared 145 Directory Assistance operators using VDTs with 105 controls using paper directories.
- A single questionnaire assessed 15 types of physical discomforts and overall job satisfaction.
Main Results:
- The only statistically significant difference was a higher incidence of neck discomfort among VDT operators.
- VDT operators reported greater overall job satisfaction than their paper-directory-using counterparts.
Conclusions:
- VDT use in this context did not lead to widespread physical complaints beyond neck discomfort.
- Job satisfaction may be higher for VDT operators, suggesting potential benefits or adaptation.
- Careful selection and installation of VDTs are important to mitigate potential ergonomic issues.