A SURVEY OF THE ADEQUACY OF VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINAL UNIT EQUIPMENT IN 7 LOCAL-AUTHORITIES IN THE MIDLANDS/

In order to assess the adequacy of equipment in the run-up to the full implementation of the Display Screen Equipment Regulations, several l ocal authorities agreed to take part in a pilot survey of their own vi deo display terminals. The instrument was a self-reporting questionnai re based on the new regulations. A number of the questionnaires were a lso completed in parallel by EHOs in order to assess the objectivity w ith which questionnaires were completed. The surveys found many defici encies but discovered that respondents with better levels of training were less critical of their work station. The reasons for this are dis cussed. The parallel inspection validated the instrument and suggests that self-inspection by users is a good indicator of some conditions a t the work station but not of temperature, light, or relative humidity . Occupational stress was also measured. The levels were above UK aver age and levels of depression were found to be associated with responde nts aches and pains.