 Home Health and Safety Health and Safety News
Its official - VDU work can be a pain in the neck
22 December 2007
An HSE study has confirmed that people who work continuously at a computer for over an hour are more likely to suffer musculoskelatal disorders.
The study by the Institute of Occupational Medicine (IOM) looked at over 1,300 users of display screen equipment (DSE) across the country. The link between VDU-use and musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) has been well-established, but the HSE-research wanted more detail.
The study found that 73% of all respondents reported one or more musculoskeletal symptoms. Over a period of 12 months, 47% reported neck symptoms but only 12% said they had had problems with their elbow and forearm. Symptoms involving the shoulder, neck and back were most frequently reported together. In addition over half reported problems with eyes and headaches.
Symptoms were highest among those who spent more time at their computer at work and among those who worked for more than one hour without a break. The results appear to back earlier research carried out the that suggested periods of work between breaks should be at least 50 minutes, but not greater than 120 minutes - and that breaks should be between 12 and 15 minutes in duration.
Click here to see the IOM research report.
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