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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 10021990 - IO.2 I .O.-2 TO: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS -.... Contra FROM: INTERNAL OPERATIONS COMMITTEE COSta September 20 1990 - -- County DATE: A_ef) STATUS REPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF VOLUNTARY VIDEO DISPLAY SUBJECT:. TERMINAL GUIDELINES FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR SPECIFIC REQUEST(S)OR RECOMMENDATION(S)&BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION RECOMMENDATIONS: 1. Authorize the Internal Operations Committee to hold a special meeting January 7, 1991 to receive reports on this subject and other matters which are or may be on referral to the Committee. 2 . Request the Director of Personnel to report to our Committee January 7, 1991 at 10: 00 A.M. on the results from the questionnaire which is being sent to private employers in the County under the leadership of the Concord Chamber of Commerce in terms of the attitudes of private employers toward Video Display Terminal safety and their interest in attending seminars on VDT safety issues. 3 . Request the Director of Personnel to report to our Committee January 7, 1991 at 10: 00 A.M. on the outline of and schedule for conducting seminars for private employers on VDT safety and to provide technical assistance to such employers. 4. Request the Director of Personnel to report to our Committee January 7, 1991 at 10: 00 A.M. on the content of voluntary guidelines for private employers to follow relative to VDT safety. 5. Request the County Counsel to report to our Committee January 7, 1991 at 10: 00 A.M. providing a comparison of the CONTINUED ON ATTACHMENfi:es YES SIGNATURE: RECOMMENDATION OF COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOA D COMMITT APPROVE OTH R/�\� ,' `� C C SIGNATURE(S): SUNNE WRIGHT McPEAK TOM POWERS ACTION OF BOARD ON October 2, APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED X and OTHER X REFERRED specific concerns raised by Jim Hicks, Business Manager, AFSCME Local 2700, relative to alleged violations of the County's VDT guidlines at the Pittsburg Health Clinic and the Walnut Creek Court to the Personnel Director for response. VOTE OF SUPERVISORS I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS IS A TRUE X UNANIMOUS(ABSENT III ) AND CORRECT COPY OF AN ACTION TAKEN AYES: NOES: AND ENTERED ON THE MINUTES OF THE BOARD ABSENT: ABSTAIN: OF SUPERVISORS ON THE DATE SHOWN. CC: ATTESTED • �Q9O PHIL BATCHELOR,CLERK OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS AND COUNTY ADMINISTRATOR M382 (10/88) BY DEPUTY content of the proposed San Francisco ordinance on mandatory VDT standards for private employers versus the draft ordinance which was prepared on this same subject for consideration by our Board of Supervisors so we can see what similarities and differences there are in the two ordinances. BACKGROUND: Our Committee last reported to the Board of Supervisors on this subject April 17, 1990, at which time the Board adopted VDT safety guidelines for all County employees. The Director of Personnel, Risk Manager and Health Services staff have continued to work with a private sector Committee, under the leadership of the Concord Chamber of Commerce, to draft voluntary guidelines for private employers in Contra Costa County to follow. A questionnaire is being drafted to solicit the interest of private employers in participating in a seminar on VDT safety at which County staff and private employers could also provide technical assistance to smaller employers. The questionnaire will also seek to determine the level of awareness of private employers of the safety issues which have been raised with our Committee in the past. We met with staff from the Personnel Department, Health Services Department, Risk Management and County Counsel, as well as Michael Dunn from the Concord Chamber of Commerce and various labor union representatives on September 20, 1990. At that time we reviewed the attached report which fully updated us on the development of voluntary guidelines for the private sector. We understand that such voluntary guidelines will be completed in November. We would like to meet with all concerned parties again on January• 7 , 1991 to receive the reports identified in the above recommendations, at which time our Committee will consider additional recommendations to bring to the Board of Supervisors. . We were also advised that the San Francisco Board of Supervisors has before it a proposed ordinance which would mandate various actions on private employers in the City and County of San Francisco. We are asking that County Counsel compare this ordinance with the one which was drafted last year for our consideration and return on January 7,. 1991 with a comparison of the provisions of the two ordinances. It is our understanding that a Committee of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will be considering this matter on October 2, 1990. We would like to closely follow the actions taken by the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in this regard. cc: County Administrator Director of Personnel Health Services Director Director of Public Health ' Dr. Ruth Lowengart, HSD Risk Manager County Counsel Steve Roberti, Central Labor Council Jim Hicks, AFSCME ContraPersonnel Department Administration Bldg. Costa Cost 651 Pine Street County Martinez, California 94553-1292 DATE: September 11, 1990 TO: Internal Operations Committee FROM: Harry D. Cisterman, Director of Personnel SUBJECT: Progress Report on the Voluntary Video Display Terminal Guidelines for the Private Sector BACKGROUND The Internal Operations Committee in April requested the Director of Personnel to continue working with a Task Force to develop a set of voluntary VDT Guidelines and to develop a program to assist in securing voluntary compliance to these guidelines. The Task Force had at that time decided upon a three-part program aimed at not only developing guidelines but accompanying them with resources and training to support their implementation. STATUS REPORT Since April , the Task Force, made up of representatives of Contra Costa County private sector employers and labor (Attachment A), has met several times and has taken the following actions: Guidelines: The Task Force decided to work with the Concord Chamber of Commerce and its members as a resource for developing the Guidelines. - Michael Dunne notified other Chambers of our ,project by newsletter article and by mail including copies of the County's internal policy (Attachment B) . - I.nput, from small employers in the private sector has been received and shared with. all Task Force members (Attachment C) . - A sub-committee of employers, including ones not on the Task Force, has met and shared information. They have recently developed a draft for a voluntary program which, when completed by the sub-committee, will be submitted to the Task Force for comment and any modification (Attachment D) . - Wells Fargo Bank has offered to provide graphics to illustrate the Guidelines when they are published in the form of a brochure. - It is anticipated that the content of the Guidelines will be finalized .in early November. Education All persons involved in this. project have agreed that a major effort must be made to assist employers and employees alike in becoming aware of the issues involved in VDT work station design and operator' s safety. Internal Operations Committee Page Z September 17, 1990 - Michael Dunne has prepared and the Task Force has. approved a questionnaire to be circulated to members of the Concord Chamber of Commerce to determine the level of interest and training format most likely to meet employers' needs (Attachment-E). As with the Guidelines, the Task Force is working with the Concord Chamber to develop the prototypes. We will work with other employers in the County through the Contra Costa Council (Steve Roberti is a member of both the Task Force and the Council ) and with other Chambers. - Training content developed by Dr. Ruth Lowengart of Health Services for use in training Contra Costa County employees (Attachment F) has been made available for review by the Task Force. - The Task Force has discussed the possibility of sponsoring seminars using materials .from the County and the large private employers. Chevron, Pac Bell and others have expressed a willingness to contribute. - A VDT Comfort Check card (Attachment G) developed by Wells Fargo Bank could be made available directly to operators if reproduction costs can be covered. Resource Information The Task Force members have identified and shared lists of resource materials (Attachment H) to assist_ employers and employees alike in working with the concerns of VDT Safety. Our concern has been how to make these .resources available and how best to disseminate information relative to their availability. Many options have been put forward but to date, no conclusions have been reached. One idea currently under discussion is a VDT Safety Fair sponsored jointly by the County and Task Force members. Such a vehicle-would permit: - Sharing of information which could otherwise not be distributed because of copyrights. - The opportunity to see first hand what equipment alternatives are available. - Roundtable discussions. - Presentations by experts. CONCLUSION The VDT Task Force is working steadily and concertedly towards the development of Voluntary Guidelines and towards the development of avenues to introduce and educate employers to VDT work station concerns. All Task Force members have committed considerable time, effort and thought to this project. Our efforts have attracted national attention (Attachment I) with the Bureau of National Affairs giving recognition to our efforts. Internal Operations Committee Page 3 September 17, 1990 RECOMMENDATION Request the Director of Personnel to continue to meet with the VDT Task Force to complete the f-ormulation of Voluntary Guidelines and to then develop programs to provide educational and resource assistance. HDC/EKB:dn Attachments A��ACNME�T A ATTACHMENT A VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINAL PRIVATE SECTOR COMMITTEE William Allin Bill Haerle, .Manager AT&T - Government Relations State Government Affairs 353 Sacramento St. , Suite 1600 American Electronics Association San Francisco, CA 94111 5201 Great America Parkway Santa Clara, CA 95054 George Anninger Kathy Hart, Safety Officer AT&T - Environmental Safety Wells Fargo Bank 4430 Rosewood Drive 525 Market Street Pleasanton, CA 94566 San Francisco, CA 94163 Carol Croy Barbara Kellogg Chevron USA SEIU, Local 790 2001 Diamond Blvd. 522 Grand Avenue Concord, CA 94524 Oakland, CA 94610 Diana Doughtie . Don Lehman - Government Relations SEIU, Local 790 Pacific Telesis Group 522 Grand Avenue 130 Kearny, Room 3301 Oakland, CA 94610 San Francisco, CA 94108 Michael Dunne Ben Lyon Concord Chamber of Commerce Pacific Bell 2151-A Salvio Street 2600 Camino Ramon, #2W853 Concord, CA 94520 San Ramon, CA 94583 Merlin Edwards Steven Roberti PG & E - Public Affairs Central Labor Council. 1919 Webster Street 525 Green Street Oakland, CA 94612 Martinez, CA 94553 Steve Fabes Angus Ross Bank of America Pacific Bell 2001 Clayton 633 Folsom, Room 301 Concord, CA 94520 San Francisco, 'CA 94107 Dorothy Fortier IBEW, Local 1245 PO Box 4790 Walnut Creek, CA 94596 NT B ATTACHMENT B Chamber Assisting Cowity With VDT Guidelii The Concord Chamber of Commerce and Chamber of Commerce Staff, along its members are helping the Contra Costa representatives from some of the large coi County personnel department adopt video tions throughout the County have atte display terminal(VDT)usage guidelines for all regularly scheduled meetings to of the County employees working with computer assistance to the Personnel Departmerr terminals. their employees. The Chamber has recently formed a Chevron, Pacific Bell, AT&T and o taskforce of private sector employers to work have already provided the county with boc with the County's Health Services and Person- and diagrams on the proper usage of nel Department to provide information and equipment.Such techniques as maintainin recommendations on the proper uses of VDT's. proper distance between the. eyes anc Several months agog the Personnel De- screen, ensuring proper elevation of partment reported to the Board of Supervisors keyboard from the floor, and recommer. that their ergonomic guidelines for the use of y. computers were well below those of private periodic visual breaks from the screen employers. In response, Supervisor Sunne illustrated and explained in all of these McPeak asked the Chamber if they would set fessionally produced brochures. up a partnership between the County and large The Chamber will continue to work witl private employers who utilize numerous com- County so that their employees can enjoy puter work stations in order to share informa- same types of VDT guidelines that are b tion on the usage of VDT equipment. used by many businesses throughout Since that initial request, the Concord community. ATTACHMENT C I ATTACHMENT C r CONTRA COSTA COUNTY VOLUNTARY VIDEO DISPLAY TFPIMLAL, GUIDELINES Input from small employers of the private sector In regard to' the VDT guidelines written by the Personnel Department of Contra Costa County, the smaller employers belonging to the Concord Chamber of Commerce have the following input: Section II. The definition of effective work station equipment (Section II) for County employees is quite expansive and would be extremely costly for private employers to implement. Small employers would insist that any voluntary guidelines given to the private sector include two conditions. First of all, such guidelines should be presented to employers as recommendations rather then requirements to meet mandated standards. In terms of VDT equipment, the normal process of replacing old and damaged equipment, as needed, is the most realistic method for employers to upgrade technology. Through this process VDT guidelines for equipment will be met without incurring unacceptable costs. Secondly, low cost ' ways of enhancing work station effectiveness while using existing equipment should be made available to employers. Educational pamphlets on the proper uses of VDTs and other such informational literature will go a long way toward insuring a comfortable work station. Section III_ Small employers accept the intent of this section which calls for an alternative pattern of work, so long as r_ employers are able to independently determine the various lengths of time away ffom VDT use and other such factors involved with the daily work load. Section IV. If it is the intent of the County to recommend that all private sector employers provide eye care coverage for their employees, than this section is unacceptable due to the tremendous cost incurred by small business employers. Annual eye examinations might be a realistic recommendation if and only if, it can fit into an individual employer's current health care policy without changing or amending preexisting employment agreements, including those agreements that do not offer health insurance. Section V. As stated above, small employers would like to have access to VDT-use education as soon as it becomes available. In terms of a regimented training program for employees however, small employers need to be very f lexible and the time line for training listed in this document may not be applicable to certain employers. Employers should not be required to uniformly adopt training procedures that are too strict to implement. As a general comment, to be most effective, private sector guidelines need to be framed differently than the County's administrative bulletin. They should stress the benefits of employers voluntarily addressing VDT concerns rather than complying with mandated standards. The proper vehicle would be " a new document drawing from guidelines already in use in the private sector as well as the County's. The private sector should propose such a document at the next meeting. - f I AT'CACxMEN'C P r•� ,r y ,�r� ATTACHMENT D TVLJ- Greater Concord Chamber of Coznmarce !:<;r>r.ra f".r.•.r:a's l.cad;:�,i til; %::rsA>su7ufur. TO: Supervisors Sunrie �ICPeak, Tom. Powers Internal, Operations Committee Contra Costa County FROM: Michael Dunne, Director of Governmental ACtivi.ties, Concord Chamber of Comerce RE: Report from the Private Sector Cor.mittee on voluntary VDT guidelines The following document of Video Display Terminal guidelines is a third draft which has been prepared with input fron all members of the Private Sector Committee. The ConuTti ttee includes-, large and small employers with operations in �.he County and the Concord Chamber of Commerce. t-nile this draft is incomplete (sections I.B. 1 and i.B.2 need to be updated, and the conruittee member with the most expertise in these areas will be away for two weeks) , the Committee will continue to -Drk toward a complete document, ar:d 311. indications suggest that -: ch a document will be ready within one month. several months ago, the Board of Supervisors requested that representatives fron business create voluntary VDT guidelines that .^ be utilized by all employers in the County. The Private Sector Cc:ri-J.ttee was formed to work toward that goal. The draft before you is the first documentation of a long term program which will h, effectively spread the word of VDT safety and training, -,I-OU--.'h the use of occupa.tio-nal safety literature, training seminars and other related oducationa? materials THIRD DRAFT: From notes of September 4, 1990 meeting with Michael Dunne and Kathy Hart. I. VDT EQUIPMENT AND WORK STATION GUIDELINES. Definitions: "Terminal" or "VDT" means any station or electronic video screen data- p-resentation machine commonly referred to a video (or visual ) display terminal (VDT), cathode ray tube (CRT), word processor, personal computer (PC), mini-computer or data entry terminal . These guidelines do not pertain to oscilloscopes, electronic or laboratory testing equipment, televisions or communications equipment. "Employee" or "Operator" means any person engaged to work as a video display terminal operator for twenty or more hours per week. "Work station" means the furniture, equipment and accessories related to use of the VDT which make up the VDT operator's immediate work environment. A. VDT Equipment. 1. Keyboards. a. The keyboard design should permit it to be easily repositioned on the work surface. b. The angle adjustment should be integral to the keyboard. Suggestion: An object may be placed under the keyboard to adjust the angle. c. The keys should have a matte finish and should have a light touch requiring little force to type on them. d. Keyboards should have a low profile design which reduces but does not entirely eliminate the need for wrists rests. Suggestion: The use of an adjustable keypad which the keyboard may be set may also be used. 2. Monitor. a. There should be a matte finish on the monitor case, knobs and screens. b. Display screens should be clean and clear. If there is a perceptible flicker, a service representative should be contacted. There should be an adjustable contrast and brightness control . c_ The display unit should be adjustable for tilt and swivel or on a device which allows for these adjustments. Suggestion: Devices such as placing a book under the monitor can help to accomplish this objective. B. Work Station Furniture and Accessories. 1. Chairs. 2. Work Surfaces. 3. Options for Employee Positioning .at the Work Station. a. Wrist or palm rests should be provided to support the hands and forearms or to reduce wrist extension at the keyboard if requested by the operator. Suggestion: Wrapping towels or some other object around the arms of the chair can serve as wrist rests. b. The use of articulated keyboard arms may be provided to allow for adjustment of the height of the keyboard. c. Display support stands or risers may be provided to allow for adjustment to the height of the display. d. Foot rests should be provided for operators whose feet do not comfortably rest on the floor with existing furniture. Suggestion: Books or a foot stool may help to meet this need. e. Document holders may allow for the placement of documents in a viewing angle as specified for the display screens above. f. Anti-glare treatment for the display screens (anti-glare etched screen, diffusing surface, anti-reflection coating, or faceplate filter) can be provided to assist the operator. 4. Work Station Environment. a. Light levels should be controlled to provide for minimum glare with individual work station lighting provided if possible for tasks requiring higher• levels of lighting due to visual demands. s b. Efforts should be made to locate equipment so that bright sources 'of light are not in the visual field while viewing the screen or so that the source documents or light colored materials are not seen by the VDT users as reflections on the screen. c. Light from windows should be controlled through the use of drapes, blinds, reduced transmission glass, louvers, baffles or a combination of these controls. Suggestion: Providing employees with eye exercises may also be of assistance in dealing with problems resulting from lighting. An easy exercise to remember is the 20/20 exercise. Work for twenty minutes then look at an object twenty feet away and then return back to work. II. PROVISIONS FOR ALTERNATIVE WORK We encourage where possible the design of jobs that do not require continuous full-timd VDT operations and the opportunity, for employees to have input into the design of their work station which helps to improve morale. Operators should not be required to work continuously at a VDT for longer than-two hours without the opportunity for .alternate work (such work will be part of the working day) or the employees regularly scheduled work break. Alternate work could include activities such as organizing their base documents prior to entry into a computer, filing, telephone answering, etc. III. VISION CARE It is advisable for operators working at least twenty hours a week at VDT work to have periodic vision examinations. It is up to the employer and the operator based on existing health plan provisions and labor agreements or other contractual agreements to determine who will pay for these examinations and corrective lenses should they be necessary. IV. TRAINING Education and training of the proper use of equipment and design of work stations should be provided to all VDT operators and their supervisors. A. Contents of Training Programs. 1. Operators should be instructed in the alternatives and reasons for various designs of work stations and placement of equipment. The effects of improper placement and positioning should be understood by the employees. 2. The information should describe and. demonstrate proper ergonomic and safety procedures to protect operators from hazards. 3. The training should describe these guidelines and the employee's rights and responsibilities in properly using equipment provided to them. 4. Supervisors should also be instructed in proper ergonomic and safe procedures and understand the importance of employees following these procedures in relation to their productivity and morale. B. Frequency of Training. 1. In order for new employees to begin their employment in a positive and healthful manner, it is most effective to include training on VDT usage and work station design and practices at the time, you orient new people to your organization. 2. Supervisors should be trained as soon as it is feasible to do so. 3. Repeat training should be offered as needed and periodically thereafter. AT'CACxM�N'C E ATTACHMENT E Attention, County Employers The folloL.ing questionnaire has been developed by the concord Chamber of Commerce and representatives from Contra Costa County to determine the level of interest employers have in regard to Video Display Terminal ;VDT) training and safety. The Chamber and County plan to use the information collected from this survey to determine if employers within Contra Costa County are interested in learning more about VDT training and would be willing to attend special VDT seminars so as to train their own employees. Please, fill out the following questions and return it to the Concord Chamber of Commerce. DO ANY OF YOUR EMPLOYEES WORK STEADILY ON 1yDTS FOR AT LEAST 20 HOURS PER WEEK? YES NO DOES YOUR BUSINESS DEPEND HEAVILY UPON THE CONT1^14UED USE OF VDT EQUIP14ENT AND OPERATORS? YES NO DO YOU CONSIDER VDT TRAINING AND EDUCATION? ESSENTIAL TO THE SAFE'T'Y AICD EFFECTIVENESS OF YOUR EMPLOYEES? YES NO DO YOUR EMPLOYEES WHO USE VDTS, RECEIVE TRAINING AND EDUCATION ABOUT PROPER USE? YES NO WOULD YOU BE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING A SEMINAR LED BY OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY EXPERTS IN ORDER TO LEAPN MORE ABOUT THE PROPER GUIDELINES, TECHNIQUES AND EQUIPMENT ASSOCIATED .11ILT . PROPER 'JOT USE? YES NO HOW MUCH TIME COULD YOU DEVOTE TO A VDT TR_kTNING SEMINAR? NONE i HOUR 2 HOURS 1/2 DAY Please return you. arswers to the Concord Chamber Ot Commerce 2I51--A Salvio St. Concord; CA G4520. Than!i__qu or your partici pat?On AT'CACFM�N� ATTACHMENT F VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINAL - HEALTH AND SAFETY PROGRAM Instructor' s Guide PREFACE: This program has been designed for employees who work at video display terminals to: 1. Familiarize them with issues that concern their comfort, safety and productivity at the VDT workstation. 2. Increase their awareness of how they can use practical solutions to improve their work environment. 3. Suggest some applications of workplace design or redesign to reduce problems. 4. Discuss and demonstrate exercises which relieve fatigue at their workstation. 5. Comply with training requirements specified under The Contra Costa Administrative Bulletin "Video. display Terminal- Health and Safety Program" adopted on 4/26/90. This document requires that training be provided for all VDT operators who 20 or more hours per week. The required components of' the training program as specified are: Contents: a. Operators shall be informed orally and in writing of the nature of the potential health hazards to which they may be exposed in the course of their employment. Such training shall describe the symptoms which may be associated with VDT use. b. This training shall describe and demonstrate the proper ergonomic and safe procedures to use to protect operators from these potential hazards, including information on the availability of vision care and corrective lenses. C. This training shall fully describe the requirements of the Administrative Bulletin and the employee's rights under it. Frequency: a. This training should be provided to current operators and supervisors within twelve months of the effective date of the Bulletin (i.e. by 4/26/91) . b. After training has been provided to current operators and supervisors as specified above, all new employees, employees newly transferred, or newly assigned into positions as VDT operators or supervisors, should receive this training within 9.0 days of employment or transfer. c. Repeat training should be offered as needed according to the determination of the County Safety Officer. 2 MATERIALS: 1. Instructor's Guide 2. Video: Ergonomics of the VDT Workstation (20 min) 3. VCR and monitor 4. Employee handouts: a. Newswire: Video Display Terminals b. Exercise: What' s Wrong with this VDT Workstation? 5. Ergonomic Chair 6. Employee Registration Form 7. Flip Chart/Magic Markers OR -Chalk Board 8. Conference room and chairs LENGTH OF PROGRAM: 45 minutes - 1 hour 1 3 SCRIPT AND INSTRUCTIONS OPENING/INTRODUCTION ( 5 min) DISTRIBUTE HANDOUTS (Newswire and exercise) Welcome to Video Display Terminals - Health and Safety Program. My ,name is ; I am (describe what you do) . This program has been developed to bring to your awareness issues surrounding work with VDTs and to inform you of practical solutions you can use to make your workplace more comfortable. In April 1990 an Administrative Bulletin regarding VDTs was developed by a joint employee/union/management committee. The bulletin outlines specifications for furniture, equipment, and training to be provided to VDT operators who work at least 1/2 time on a terminal. These specifications apply to all new purchases of equipment or, as the budget allows, for replacing existing furniture: To understand your needs a little better, I'd first like . to know your names, the type of work you do with VDTs, how many hours you spend working on the VDT, and what kinds of problems you may experience working with them. STUDENTS STATE NAME, ETC. Our objectives today are to: SHOW FLIP CHART #1 1. Understand issues that concern your comfort and safety at the VDT workstation. 2. Learn practical solutions to improve your workstation. 3 . Learn applications of workplace design or redesign to reduce discomfort. 4. Learn some exercises which can help relieve fatigue at your workstation. First, we will see a 20 minute film titled "Ergonomics of the VDT Workstation" . After watching the film, we will discuss some of the points it brings up, demonstrate the use of an adjustable, ergonomic chair, show you some exercises you can do to relieve fatigue, and answer your questions. The film you are about to see was created by the Center foz Office Technology. Established in 1985, this center is a national coalition- of employers, manufacturers, and associations interested in promoting the effective use of office technology. The film will show you state-of-the-art VDT equipment and furniture and will demonstrate a range of comfortable positions you can assume to customize your workstation to your needs . 4 SHOW FILM ( 20 min) DISCUSSION Now I 'd like to go over some of the points brought up in the film and covered in the Administrative Bulletin on VDTs. As mentioned in the film, there are several potential safety and health complaints which occur among VDT operators: VISION Temporary visual discomfort is common among VDT operators. They may experience blurred vision, difficulty focusing, -burning eyes, eye strain, or even headaches. There is no conclusive scientific evidence of .permanent damage to vision, and it appears that many of the complaints can be reduced by some simple methods. ASK CLASS: Can you think of some ways to reduce visual discomfort in your work? NOTE QUESTIONS, THEN REFER TO FLIP CHART #2 TO REVIEW 1. Appropriate visual correction. Members of AFCME locals 2700 and 512 and other unions which have special collective bargaining agreements for vision care are entitled to an annual visual examination, if needed, and corrective lenses, if necessary for VDT work. Single vision lenses are covered in the plan. These lenses are appropriate for those who focus for long periods of time at one distance (between you and .your computer) . Single vision lenses are probably not appropriate for those who must .also see closer or farther away to do their work; They may need bi- or tri-focals or progressive lenses. Make sure you tell your eye doctor the distances you need to see in your work. . 2. Look away from the screen frequently (several times per hour.) and focus on an object in the distance. 3 . Alternate VDT work with other tasks, if possible 4. Adjust contrast and brightness on screen for comfort 5. Position the screen relative to windows and lights to minimize glare 6. Position screen so that top is at or below eye level 7. Make a visor for your screen using heavy weight, dark paper to reduce overhead direct light, or tilt screen downward 8._ Reduce light levels in the room by removing a bulb, adjusting blinds,- turning off some lights. . Get a desk lamp if more light is needed to see other tasks on the desk. 9 . Move objects which reflect light onto the screen such as glass covered pictures, 10 . Wipe screen weekly or every few days with a damp cloth to remove reflective dust 5 11. Ask for an anti-glare screen if these do, not work. Be aware that such a screen may actually reduce the clarity of the display, so you might want to look at one -in use before requesting one. MUSCULOSKELETAL Discomfort in the muscles and ligaments are the next most common complaint among VDT operators. Discomforts may include aches and pains in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, or hands. Just as with any prolonged activity, muscles of VDT operators may fatigue. There are of course many other causes of these conditions and discomforts, so it is important to seek medical advise if they persist. One of the most important aspects to reduce muscular discomfort is to adjust your chair properly. If you do not have an adjustable chair, ask your supervisor to put you on the list for a replacement chair when budget permits. ASK FOR VOLUNTEER TO DEMONSTRATE CHAIR ADJUSTMENT: VOLUNTEER STANDS NEXT TO CHAIR TO JUDGE KNEE LEVEL 1. First, adjust the height of -the chair to approximately knee level. VOLUNTEER IS SEATED AND HEIGHT ADJUSTED SO THAT: Feet should be resting firmly on the floor with the thighs parallel to the floor. There should be little or no pressure behind the knees. If the chair must be higher to allow you to reach the table, you should ask for a foot rest. ADJUST BACKREST, SHOW PROFILE OF SEATED VOLUNTEER 2. Adjust back rest so that the head is vertically over the shoulders and hips. If you prefer to be tilted back a little, that is OK if you do not have neck muscle discomfort. ADJUST HEIGHT OF BACKREST 3. Adjust height of back rest so that low back at the waistline is firmly supported by .the bump built into the chair. If more support is needed in the low back, bring a small cushion or rolled towel from home. 4. Adjust the seat pan tilt for comfort. If you have low back discomfort or if you must lean over do work on the desk, you may prefer a forward tilt. 5. _ Remember, that it is important to move or change posture periodically to prevent fatigue of muscles. So go ahead and change your chair an inch or so every now and then during the day. Now let' s look at some other ways that you can make modifications to reduce muscular aches and pains . Can you 6 think of some ways you might adjust your workstation or work practices to avoid neck and shoulder aching? OPTIONAL, -ELICIT ANSWERS FROM CLASS, depending on time SHOW FLIP CHART #3 1. Make sure your head is vertically over shoulders and hips. Although, - if you have back problems, you may prefer to be tilted backward slightly. 2. Adjust screen so that it is directly in front of you. Make sure you are not twisting the head or shoulders to see either the screen or"document. 3. Request a document holder to elevate the paper you are typing from to the same angle and height as the screen, or slightly below. A temporary solution could be a piece of cardboard folded over to make a V. 4. Adjust screen so that the top is ' approximately at eye level or below. This is one point that we disagree with in the film, which showed the screens generally too low causing you to use the neck muscles to tilt the head. Telephone books or boxes are temporary solutions until a riser can be obtained. 5. Arm rests may help to relieve some of the fatigue in the shoulders, but sometime get in the way. 6. Stretch your neck and arms frequently, at least once per hour. 7 . If you do a lot of work on the phone, ask for a cradle or headset More than 60% of adults will experience back pain at some time in our life, whether we work or not. Can you think of ways you could adjust your workstation or work practices to avoid backaches? [OPTIONAL ELICIT ANSWERS FROM CLASS] FLIP CHART #4 1. Adjust back rest to support low and mid back. 2. Use a small cushion behind back. 3 . Tilt seat forward to put more weight on feet rather than the spine. 4. Stand up frequently. There is less pressure on the discs in' the back in the upright standing position. 5. Stretch frequently. Tendinitis of the wrist or arms can occur in some people related to repetitive use of the fingers or arms. Tendinitis of the muscles which bend the wrist (DEMONSTRATE FLEXION) may contribute to a condition known as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. In this condition the nerve running through the wrist becomes compressed due to swelling. Symptoms may include pain in the 7 wrist and numbness or tingling in the fingers. The condition is aggravated by forceful activities with the wrist in a bent position_: [DEMONSTRAT$ STRAIGHT WRIST AND DEVIATION TO SIDES, UP, OR DOWN] This condition can be prevented or reduced by the following adjustments: FLIP CHART #5 1. Make sure wrists are straight when typing. DEMONSTRATE STRAIGHT WRIST a. The . forearms should be approximately parallel to the floor when typing. Adjust table height (or adjust chair to table) such that the top of the table is approximately the height of the elbows when seated. SHOW POSITION OF TYPING WITH ARMS ' STRAIGHT OUT, POINT TO ELBOW HEIGHT b. Adjust angle of keyboard to keep wrists straight. C. If wrists are still bent backward when typing, ask for a wrist rest, a small pad which fits in front of the keyboard. In the meantime, a small rolled towel will work: 2. Avoid pounding on the keys 3. Reduce .the force of activities where possible: a. Roll ink stamps rather than pounding them. Use self inking stamps if possible b. Use a wide pen or pen sheath if you do a lot of handwriting. c. Divide stacks of paper for punching holes d. Hold spring loaded stamps in pistol grip if many repetitions necessary 4. Alternate typing with other work or take frequent mini- breaksrof a minute or so to stretch and rest muscles. Another important factor in reducing muscular discomfort is to avoid remaining in one position for too long and to rest . and stretch muscles before they become fatigued`_ According to the VDT 'administrative bulletin, you will be entitled to 15 minutes of rest or alternate work for every 2 hours you work continuously on the VDT. Alternate work could include anything other than typing. The break could be split into one 10 minute., and one 5 minute work or rest break, if your -supervisor agrees. If you experience persistent difficulties or`discomforts, it is important to talk to your supervisor and/or safety coordinator. They will. be going through a similar training program ', and will be given some ideas on how to make modifications in the workplace. If you have health problems which you believe . may be related to your work,- you may see your own doctor , or you may contact one of the occupational J 8 health clinics listed on the handout. Stretching exercises can be a big help in reducing discomfort. Some exercises are described at the end of the handout. You should hold each stretch I describe for about 5-10 seconds or more. Let me demonstrate. [DEMONSTRATE] : 1. For the hands and wrists: a. separate and straighten fingers until stretch is felt, hold and release b. make circles with wrist c. push hand backwards with the palm of the opposite hand d. shake out hands at sides 2. For the neck and shoulders: a. roll shoulders into shrug and complete circle b. lace fingers behind neck and pull shoulder blades together c. tilt head to one side and hold stretch, then the other side d. turn chin to one side and try to look behind you, keeping shoulders relaxed e. bend head forward, stretching the back of neck f with arm in front of face, pull. elbow toward opposite shoulder g. interlace fingers; with palms facing away from you, straighten arms out in front of you then turn palms upwards above your head as you straighten your arms, reach for the ceiling 3 . For the back: a. while sitting in your chair, place your hands on the back of your hips, then arch your back while stretching the back b. while sitting, grasp one knee with both hands and pull toward your chest c. stand up and bend slightly to each side d. stand up and tuck pelvis in while bending the knees 4. For the face and eyes a. raise your eyebrows and open your eyes as wide as possible. At the same time open your mouth as wide as possible to stretch the muscles of the face. b. first tense the face muscles by closing the eyes tightly and grimacing, then relax c. gently massage in a circular motion the muscles around the eyes and forehead 9 s Before we end this class, please take out your exercise that shows a drawing of a VDT workstation. It has several mistakes or areas that- need improvement. Please take a few =minutes to mark at the bottom of the sheet what-,you think is wrong, and at least one way of correcting each problem. ALLOW ABOUT 3=5 MINUTES FOR THEM TO COMPLETE EXERCISE. WHEN FINISHED ASK CLASS TO IDENTIFY PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS. Mistakes include: 1. Screen is too high: lower screen 2. Workstation faces window which creates glare: add window shade or blind, move desk orientation, get glare screen 3 . Chair too high, feet don' t touch ground: get adjustable chair or foot rest 4. Chair doesn' t support low back: get adjustable chair or cushion for low back 5. Keyboard is too high_ : lower keyboard 6: No document holder: get document holder or make one out of cardboard 7 . Desk behind is poorly placed so. that she has to turn around to answer the phone: move desk: or telephone so that all materials are in reach ASK CLASS: What other questions or concerns da you have? ANSWER QUESTIONS IF THERE ARE NO FURTHER QUESTIONS: CONCLUSION In conclusion, VDTs have revolutionized the workplace. They have made many tasks more efficient and have improved our ability to process information. But they have brought with them to the workplace some challenges as well. We have discussed some practical ways to adjust your workstation and work practices to make your job more comfortable and reduce aches and pains. When you get back to work, look at your workstation just as you did in the exercise, and see what- modifications you can make immediately which others you think are necessary, but can' t do alone. Make a list, and discuss it with your supervisor. Try the exercises you learned today. They can really help to refresh tired muscles. Go back to your workstations now and pay attention to those elements concerning vision, lighting, workstation organization and body movement. It will enable you to work at your best; be healthier and feel better about your work. END 10 FLIP CHART #1 - Comfort and safety at VDT workstation - Solutions to improve workstation - Design workplace to reduce discomfort - Exercises- to relieve fatigue FLIP CHART #2 1. Appropriate visual correction 2 . Look away frequently; focus on distant object 3. Alternate VDT work with other tasks, if possible 4. Adjust contrast and brightness on screen for comfort 5. Position screen relative to windows and lights 6. Position top of screen at or below eye level 7 . Make a visor for your screen or tilt screen downward 8. Reduce light levels in the room 9. Move objects which reflect light 10. Clean screen weekly 11. Ask for anti-glare screen FLIP CHART #3 1. Sit with head vertically over shoulders and' hips 2. Screen directly in front of you. Don't twist. 3 . Use a document holder 4. Top of screen at or below eye level 5 . Arm rests 6. Stretch neck and arms frequently . 7 . Request a cradle or headset if phone used frequently FLIP CHART 44 1. Adjust back rest to support low and mid back. 2. Use a small cushion 3 . Tilt seat forward to put more weight on feet rather, than the spine. 4 . Stand up frequently S. Stretch frequently. FLIP CHART #5 1 . Make sure wrists are flat when .typing A. Arms parallel to the floor _b. Adjust angle of keyboard c. Use wrist rest or a small rolled towel 2 . Avoid pounding on the keys 3 . Reduce the force of activities where possible: a. Roll ink stamps b. Use a wide pen or pen sheath for handwriting c. Divide stacks of paper for punching holes d. Hold spring loaded stamps in pistol grip , 11 wank` ' 01" a a 4• S�z etcr 14, COMMON QUESTIONS ASKED ARE THERE ANY REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH RISKS TO PEOPLE USING VDTS? There is no conclusive evidence at present about whether there is "or is not an association between VDTs and adverse pregnancy outcomes or birth complications. Studies completed have been of varying quality and findings are inconsistent. Most large scale studies have shown no increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcome. One study which you may have heard about was done at Kaiser in the Bay Area and appeared to show some increased risk of miscarriage, but not birth defects, in women working more than 20 hours per week. However this study failed to show consistent findings across all groups of women studied and failed to demonstrate that the miscarriages seen were related to the VDT, as opposed to some other aspect of their work or. lifestyle. Prolonged sitting in uncomfortable positions is another possible explanation for miscarriages. WHAT RADIATION IS EMITTED FROM A VDT? First of all there are. two general classes of radiation. Ionizing radiation, the type used in nuclear power plants and x- rays, has the capacity to change the molecular structure of a cell. Non-ionizing radiation does not change cell structure, and includes visible light, heat, radio frequencies, and electro-magnetic fields formed by the passage of an electrical current. The amount of ionizing radiation emitted from a VDT does not differ significantly from background radiation present all around US. Studies have shown that the amount of electro-magnetic radiation emitted from VDTs is well below safety standards, and is lower than that emitted by many household appliances such as mixers and electric blankets. There is no conclusive evidence of any hazardous radiation from VDTs. A�� A��M�N'C ATTACHMENT G VDT COMFORT CHECK Suggested Posture for VOT Users ✓IS TOP OF SCREEN AT / a OR BELOW EYE LEVEL Y ARE ANGLES OF BODY AT ® . APPROX.90' - - • e / ARE THIGHS FULLY V SUPPORTED ON IS INWARD CHAIR CURVE OF SPINE SUPPORTED • - ✓IS SEAT ADJUSTED SO FEET ARE FLAT ON FLOOR AND THIGHS ARE PARALLEL TO FLOOR_ . WELLS FARGO CORPORATE SAFETY&HEALTH OS-076 A�TA`�MFr11 H ATTACHMENT H LIST OF POTENTIAL VDT INFORMATION RESOURCES PUBLIC DOCUMENTS- Working Safely with Video Display Terminals US Dept. of Labor #OSHA 3092 Occupational Safety and Health Administration PO Box 36017 450 Golden Gate Avenue San Francisco, Ca 94102 Guidelines for the Use and Functioning of Video New Jersey Dept. of Health Display Terminals PEOSH Program, Rm 701 CN 360 Trenton, NJ 08625 American national Standard for Human Factors Human Factors Society, Inc. Engineering of Visual Display Terminal Work- PO Box 1369 stations Santa Monica, Ca 90406 Video Display Terminals. . . . .The Human Factor National Safety Council 444 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, 111. 60611. Employees and VDT: Finding a Comfortable Fit CSEAP New York State Dept. of Civil Service Building 1, Rm 130 W. Averill Harrimann NYS Office Building Campus Albany, NY 12239 Community Newswire Vol.S, 02, Suimner 1989 San Francisco Bay Area Regional Poison Center San Francisco General Hospital 1E86 1001 Potrero Ave. Safi Francisco, Ca 941.10 Copyrighted Material. working t7it11 Displays VDT and Radiation Safet.: Center for Office Technoioa 575 8t11 Ave, 14U.t Floor ink t"iti D i S p I a A Practical Guide for \e\,; York, Ni" 10(;15- 01.1 VC-T Use!s Di Plavti %'DT :and Vi..sioa as ahove Fitness at the Terminal Krames Communications 312 90th St.- Working with VDTs The Hunan Interface Daly City, CA 94015-1898 Preventing Repetitive Motion Injuries The Video Display Terminal and You Coastal Video Communications 3083 Brickhouse Court Virginia Beach, Va 23452 Health and Safety Aspects of Visual Display Corporate Health and Safety IBM Corporation Ergonomics Handbook 2000 Purchase St. Purchase, NY 10577 Copyrighted Videos It All Adds Up ' ($395) Advantage Health Systems, Inc. Meeting the Challenge (14min. ) ($395) 406 Nest 34th St. , Suite 400 Kansas City, Missouri 64111 A Price for Every Progress: The Health The Labor Institute. Hazards of VDTs (23min. ) ($50) 853 Broadway, Rm 2014 New York, NY 10003 PRIVATE EMiPLOYEERS AT&T Chevron USA Wells Fargo PG&E Pacific Bell Bank of America American Electronics Ass. Pacific Telesis Group pTTA�KMENT I ATTACHMENT I enw THEBUREAU OF NATIO= . : ST rC ` : ``f4t` 'IRS INC Jul'- }6 1 � _ - July 13, 1990 Ms. Eileen Bitten Personnel Dept. County Administrator's Office Contra Costa County 651 Times St. Martinez, Calif. 94553 Dear Ms: Bitten: You may recall that I spoke with you several weeks ago in the course of gathering information for a news article on the Contra Costa VDT guidelines. I mentioned that the article would appear in the prototype issue of a proposed new BNA publication on office health issues. We completed work on the prototype recently, and the result is enclosed for your perusal. Although this prototype was prepared mainly for internal BNA editorial review, I've gotten the go-ahead to develop a second, longer prototype (at least six, and more probably eight pages in length) for outside distribution. The second prototype is scheduled to be mailed in the fall to subscribers to Occupational Safety & Health Reporter, BNA's primary existing publication on workplace health issues. I'll probably be in touch in the next few weeks to see if new information has developed on the Contra Costa guidelines. In the meantime, I'd be ' interested in any comments you may have on the first prototype. rs tr Fred Blosser 1231 Tw(fm -fifth Strut; Northwest, WVashington, DC 20037/ Telephone (202) 452-4200 0 TELEX: 285656 BNA1 \VSH !B AA "SR,, 1�vT1 - ♦ • - �■ OFFICE HEALTH REPORT A SUPPLEMENT TO JOB SAFETY& HEALTH Vol. 0„No. 0 June 1, 1990 Contra.Costa Sets VDT Guidelines For County Offices, Eyes Private Employers SPECIAL REPORT Contra Costa County, Calif:, has issued video display terminal Electronic Monitoring Curbs: guidelines for county offices and is developing a voluntary VDT industry, Labor Clash program for local private employers. Employers call it a useful method The guidelines for county offices, issued April 18, call for depart- for evaluating employee performance, ments to purchase ergonomically designed VDT equipment, furni- increasing productivity, and planning for future business needs. But labor lure, and accessories when adding to or replacing existing fixtures; officials say it too often becomes a control lighting in VDT work areas; provide work breaks for opera- source of harmful stress in workers, tors; provide certain workers with vision care benefits; and train and they want restrictions placed on operators in proper VDT use. its use. The Contra Costa County Council directed County Administrator The subject of the controversy is Phil Batchelor to issue the guidelines and to develop the voluntary electronic monitoring in the office: private sector program after rejecting a proposal last year by Supervi- the practice of assessing workers'job unt- sor Sunne McPeak for a mandator VDT ordinance government and performance the .heby, for instance, they Y + g ing the number of keystrokes they labor officials told BNA. make on their computer keyboards. A labor/management task force is developing recommendations for listening in on their telephone conver- the voluntary private sector program, Eileen Bitten, assistant person- sations with customers,and using oth- nel director for the county, told BNA. The group, whose members er such techniques made possible by 1990s office technology. include representatives from Chevron Oil, Wells Fargo Bank, and the Communications Workers of America, is looking at an, August A 1990 began, bills to restrict practices were introduced in "target date" for submitting a.report to the county. thesee four states and in Congress.The mea- sures were supported by labor unions Union Still Favors Regulation and women's groups, but opposed by the telecommunications industry,air- Bitten said that the task force is likely to suggest a program line companies, marketing associ- ations, and other powerful emplover emphasizing educational assistance to help private employers identify interests. and correct possible VDT problems in their own workplaces. One of the state bills already has County legislators declined to push mandatory regulations- for died,and some observers predict simi- private employers after deciding that such an action, if challenged in lar outcomes for the other measures, court, would probably be pre-empted by California's state safety and given the intense industry opposition. health program, she said. Nonetheless, supporters say that 'Barbara Kellogg, an organizer for United Public Employees Local' these prospects have not diminished 790, a Service Employees International Union affiliate in Oakland, their interest in seeking restrictions told BNA May 4 that labor is still pushing for a mandatory, VDT - on monitoring. They say they will continue to push for enactment of the ordinance for private employers. remaining state and federal bilis,and, The union has submitted "extensive legal documents" to the county if those measures fail,will return next in an attempt to refute the pre-emption theory, she said. year with new proposals. In the mean- For further information on the internal county guidelines, contact time, two organizations are planning Eileen Bitten or Romie Tolman, Personnel Dept., County Adminis- an additional attack on another trator's Office, 651 Times St.,.Martinez, Calif. 94553.❑ front—the courts. The bills pending in Congress are S 2164, introduced Feb. 22 by Sen. Paul Simon (D-I11), and HR 2168, introduced Feb, 14 by Rep. William IN OTHER NEWS: Clay (D-Mo). Measures that are still before state legislatures are H 1 474 ■ NIOSH studies stress/p.2 in Massachusetts, A 210 in New Jcr- ■ EPA declines to set carpet emissions rule/p. 3. scy, and A 4639 in New York. ■ VDT developments in brief/p. 3. (See Monitoring, p. 31 Copyright G 1990 b} The Bureau of National.AClairs• Inc. Fage 1 Office VDT Problems Will Be Covered VDT BYTES by OSHA Guidelines, Scannell Says Seventh Year Pitch: A VDT .bill PALM DESERT,Calif.—(By a BNA Staff Editor)—Forthcoming guide- introduced by Assemblymen Tom lines by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on preventing Hayden and Tom Bates ( has job-related repetitive motion injuries will be applicable to offices as well as to been languishing shing in the Califf ornia other types of workplaces, OSHA Adminstrator Gerard F. Scannell told Senate since July 19 Its chances YP P for enactment in 19900 are virtually insurance executives at an April 4 meeting. non-existent, but Hayden is prepared The guidelines will be part of a two-phase effort to help employers correct to reintroduce it next year,according repetitive motion problems in the workplace, Scannell told the 1990 annual to Judy Corbett, an aide to the legis- conference of the Alliance of American Insurers. In the first phase, OSHA lator.The major obstacle to the bill is will issue ergonomic guidelines specifically for the meatpacking industry. opposition by Gov. George Deukme- General guidelines for offices and other industries will follow. "I'd like to jian, Corbett says. have those guidelines available for general industry by July 1,"Scannell told Deukmejian's current the AAI meeting.❑ term expires at the.end of the year, and he has an- nounced that he will not Study of Stress in Workers run for re-election. Hay- Monitored by Computer Planned den anticipates that the CINCINNATI—(By a BNA Staff Correspondent)—The National Inti- next governor, whether tute for Occupational Safety and Health plans to conduct a study to gauge Democrat or Republican, the stress effects of computer monitoring on workers and find ways to will be less resistant VDT regulation. Corbett control these effects. says that.Hayden is not Under NIOSH's proposed study protocol, the first phase of the effort will about to lose interest in be conducted in a laboratory, using 60 temporary data entry workers as the bill. "He's been doing subjects, according to Lawrence M. Schleifer, a NIOSH biomedical and this legislation every year behavioral science researcher who will direct the project. The workers will for the past six years." enter numerical information from Internal Revenue Service forms into a mass computer. Half will act as a contfol group, while the other half will be Sue 911:Four emergency opera- electronically monitored and expected to meet a given work pace standard, tors in Washington state are suing Schleifer told a May 30 meeting of outside experts convened to review the their employer, King County, proposed procedures. Wash., for alleged job discrimina- Richard Shell, an industrial engineering professor from the University of tion in connection with repetitive- Cincinnati who will work on the stud-.said the"historical average" for this motion office .equipment injuries - type of data entry is roughly 9,500 keystrokes per hour. However, because (Palmer et al. v. King County, every work population sets its own average, Schleifer said three subsets of WashSupCt No. 90-2-02650-7, subjects will be established before monitoring begins: one working at 70 1/30/90). The suit charges that percent to 79 percent of the average performance rate, one working at 80 the employees suffer from carpal percent to 89 percent, and one working at 90 percent to.100 percent. tunnel syndrome as"a result of working at VDT keyboards as 911 `Stress Allowance Model' operators,and that the county has failed to provide adjustable eom-- Once monitoring begins, a comprehensive battery of evaluation measures puter keyboards and other equip- will be used to gauge worker stress, he said, such as mood state and somatic ment to alleviate the disorders. discomfort, respiration.and cardiovascular function, and keying force.The The suit asks the court study will also employ task performance indicators like keystroke and error to direct King County to rates. provide adjustable equip- The results of this first phase of the study will be used to establish a ment andfurniture for the "stress allowance model," said Schleifer. In order to control stress effects it workers, inform them of may be necessary to adjust performance standards, he said, perhaps by other jobs available to allowing workers a 10 percent latitude in meeting performance standards.• them. "refrain from re- An adjustment of this type may enable workers who have difficulty meeting foliating" against them for seeking worker's co an enforced standard to perform at a higher level without undue anxiety, Schleifer said. pensation benefits, and pay damages in an After the "stress allowance model" has been tested in a controlled setting, amount to be assessed NIOSH will study its stress-reducing efficacy and feasibility in a field after the case goes to tri- demonstration. he said. The"entire study is scheduled to be completed by al."Mary. Roberts, ,an at- September 1992. torney for King County. Studies on the stress and health effects of electronic performance monitor- had no comment on the ing are scant, said Schleifer. After reviewing the research done thus far, suit, telling BNA that,the Schleifer said electronic monitoring is not inherently stressful, but can be a county was "in the process source of fear and anxiety when it is used to exert excessive management of investigating the control and to coerce workers to meet unrealistically high work standards.Ei I allegations.' Copyright C 1990 by The Bureau of National Affairs.Inc. U�`t l .>✓,ti! AL'tti Ktt'Vxt Page 3 Monitoring(continued from p. 1) Laws 'Mandate' Attention to Sensitivity, Ashford Says The bills in Congress and Massachusetts contain similar provisions. They would: The Occupational Safety and Health ■ Require employers to notify employees about any electronic monitoring Administration and other federal agen- that may directly affect the worker. cies have an obligation to protect office ■ Impose "beep" provisions.requiring employers to use lights.or tones to workers and other persons who may have inform-employees when the re being monitored. heightened sensitivity to chemicals at cx- Y 8 tremely low levels of exposure, a promi- ■Prohibit employers from collecting personal information not relevant to ncnt researcher said March 26. the employee's work-performance. "We need to establish so-called safe ■Prohibit the disclosure of any personal information to other persons or [exposure] levels," going beyond'limits companies, except with the prior approval of the employee or in connection set on the basis of "ordinary toxic cf- with a criminal investigation or other limited circumstances. fects," to protect such individuals, Ni- The New Jersey bill would go further by allowing monitoring only during cholas Ashford, associate professor of the employee's first six weeks on the job and for only once a month each year technology and policy at the Massachu- settsafter that. It also would require employers to provide counseling, referral, Institute ., Technology, told a and paid release time for "necessary treatment for stress-related problems." Washington,D.C..seminar sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency. In a report last year to the state of Labor's Objections New Jersey, Ashford and Claudia Mill- er, a graduate fellow in allergy and im- The New York measure would set "beep" requirements but no further munology at the University of Texas restrictions, according to Bill Master, director of special projects for Com- Health Science Center,said that data on munications Workers of America District 1. chemical sensitivity are "compelling" A measure similar to the federal and Massachusetts bills was introduced enough to warrant precautionary mea- in Indiana (S 427) by state Sen.. Bill Alexa (D), but died when the sures to protect office workers and others Legislature adjourned in Mwho may be at risk from low-level arch without acting on it. "It wasn't one of the exposures. high priority items this past session," Alexa said. "The Clear Air Act, the [Clean] Wa- Generally, labor officials say they have no problem with employers using ter Act, the pesticide act, the Occupa- electronic monitoring strictly to help train workers and provide them with tional Safety and Health Act all man- "direct feedback"about their work performance. "But most employees I talk date particular attention to sensitive to don't see it used for [those purposes]," according to Lisa Gallatin, populations"when safety and health rcg- executive director of the Massachusetts Coalition on New Office Technol- ulations are set, Ashford told the ogy, a labor and women's advocacy group. "They see it used to spy on and seminar. "The implications are that there are harass individual employees. some chemicals that we just might have to abandon in terms of industrial and 'No Sense`to Criminalize Conduct' consumer use," be said.❑ Taken to those extremes, monitoring induces emotional stress in employ- EPA Asks for Tests ees, leading to headaches, digestive problems, sleep disorders, and other on Carpet Emissions stress-related symptoms, Gallatin and other critics charge. The Environmental Protection Agency Although the pending bills are.intended mainly to address concerns that April 24 asked carpet manufacturers to monitoring is an invasion of workers' privacy, the "beep" requirements also begin testing their products to help de- would help alleviate stress problems, Gallatin told BNA. "One of the worst termine if chemical emissions from new . parts of monitoring is worrying and wondering whether someone is carpets pose a health hazard to office listening." workers and other persons, even at ex- Industry groups dispute charges that monitoring is as widespread as tremely low levels of exposure. unions claim, or that the practice threatens workers' health and privacy. EPA also ,announced plans to bring together industry, labor, consumer, and government representatives to work out the details of such a program.The agen- cy said it would announce shortly the One of the worst parts of monitoring is worrying administrative actions it plans to take to and wondutablish this"dialogue."ering whether someone is listening. " EPA made the request for voluntary testing as it turned down a petition from , a union.local asking for strict exposure limits on 4-phenvlcyclohexene (4-PC), a Airline employees are informed, before they are hired, that service chemical by-product found in some new monitoring is performed, and "most, if not all" airlines make public carpets (53 FR 17404). telephones available to workers for personal calls, the Air Transport Associ- For further information on the EPA ation said in a March 19 statement on the Massachusetts bill. announcement, contact Michael . M. "it makes no sense to criminalize conduct that is designed to meet the Stahl. director, Environmental Assist- needs of customers and does not violate any y privacy expectation of the ante Division. EPA Office of Toxic Sub- customer or the em loyee," NtYNEX Corp' said of the Simon and Clay bills, stances. Room E-543B. 401 M St.S.W, P Washington. D.C. 20460: (202) (See ;4fot itoring, p.4) 5s4-1404._ Copyright© 1990 by The Bureau of National Affairs.Inc Page 4 Monitoring (continued from p. 3) In May, 9t05 announced a toll-free telephone hotlinc that workers can call to report incidents of electronic `Hottest Bill All Year' "spying." 9to5 will work with the ACLU's National Task Force on Civil Liberties in the.Workplace to use "An employee's stress-related problems could come one of those incidents as the basis for the proposed test from any number of sources, and we do not feel it is case, she said. appropriate to require employers to set up another costly The federal laws that cover the interception of tele- program," Atlantic City Electric Co. said in April 23 phone calls=Title III of the Omnibus Crime Control testimony on the New Jersey bill. Act of 1968—appear to give employers considerable Some observers predict that the industry opposition latitude in conducting electronic monitoring, according will make it difficult, if not impossible, to enact any to Lewis Maltby, director of the ACLU task force. In legislation this year. After holding hearings on the Mas- essence, these laws allow an employer to intercept calls sachusetts bill April 9, the state Assembly's Committee as long as the employer has the consent of one of the on Commerce and Labor put the measure "into exten- parties, and the employee is using the telephone in the sion" April 25, "which means essentially that it's been course of business. eliminated for the remainder of the year," committee However, two courts have held that employees may staff aide Stewart Field told BNA. The committee can have a cause for action if the employer overhears a still vote on the measure before the end of the year, if it personal conversation while monitoring an employee's chooses to do so, but Field said he does not expect to see calls, but fails to hang up once.he realizes that it is a a vote occur. private call, he said. . Greg Williams, a staff aide with the New Jersey In addition,employers also may be on shaky ground if Assembly Labor Committee, called the New Jersey they monitor calls regularly without having a compelling monitoring measure "the hottest bill we've had all year" business reason for doing so, or if they fail to notify the in terms of the number of business groups that have employee beforehand that a monitoring program exists, voiced opposition to it. A monitoring bill that drew.a according to Maltby. similar outcry last year "didn't go very far," he added. Danaan and Maltby said they hope to bring a suit in If the current measure is passed, it probably will "get the fall. "I don't think it's going to be very difficult to changed quite a bit" to meet industry objections, Wil- find a case," Maltby said. "I'm not looking for these liams predicted. F cases. They're looking for me."=i i ii An employee's stress-related . BULLETIN'BOARD problems could come from any Meetings ... number of sources, and we do not ■ June 7=9:"The Third Wave of Asbestos Disease: feel itis appropriate to require em- Exposure to Asbestos in Place—Public Health ployers to set up another costly Control," sponsored by Collegium Ramazzini; program. ' ' New York,N.Y. (Sheldon W.Samuels,Collegium Ramazzini; (202) 842-7830). ■ June 10-13: Annual International Industrial Er- gonomics and Safety Conference '90,sponsored by In Congress, the House Education and Labor Sub- the International Foundation for Industrial Ergon- committee on Labor-Management Relations is consider- omics"and Safety Research, in cooperation with ing holding hearings on the Clay bill by early summer, the Technical University of Nova Scotia and the subcommittee Counsel Frederick L. Feinstein said May Industrial Commission of Ohio; Montreal, Canada 1. Hearings have not yet been scheduled in the Senate on (Biman Das, Conference Chair, Department of the Simon measure. Industrial Engineering, Technical University of Court Case Planned Nova Scotia, B3J 2X4, Canada; (902) 420-7858). As federal and state legislators examine possible legis- New Publications ... lative restrictions, 9to5 and the American Civil Liberties ■"proceedings of the Human Factors Society 33rd Union are planning to challenge electronic monitoring Annual Meeting": Two-volume compilation of pa- under existing privacy laws. pers presented at the annual meeting held in Octo- Representatives of the two groups told BNA that they ber 1989; $45 for society members, $60 for non- plan to bring a test case this year to clarify current legal members (Human Factors Society,P.O. Box 1369, protections for workers against "overkill" in monitoring, Santa Monica, Calif. 9.0406: fax (213) 394-2410). and to set a precedent for future suits. Copyright m 1990 by The Burcau of National Affairs, Inc.