The working environment

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Visual factors and noise

Eyestrain

Work with visual display units may give rise to visual fatigue (eye strain) with prolonged use.

Symptoms of eyestrain

• Headache
• Burning and itching eyes
• Double vision
• Blurred vision for either near or far viewing distances
• Nausea
• Fatigue
• Flickering sensations
• Slow refocussing and frequently losing the place when moving eyes from printed material to the screen

Keeping eye strain to a minimum

The visual display unit should be positioned at right angles to windows to minimise reflections and glare. The screen should be positioned so that artificial lighting does not reflect from the screen.

Rest breaks are important because VDU operation often requires intense concentration. Work with screen based equipment should be interspersed with other tasks. Glancing away from the screen for a second or two every few minutes will make work with VDU's more comfortable.

(From the brochure VDU's and vision produced by Optometrists Association Australia.)

Eyestrain and fatigue can also be the result of uncorrected eye vision defects. One such problem is presbyopia which often begins from age 40 to 45. This involves loss of ability to readily focus back on objects that are close up. Spectacles may be required.

Lighting

• Lighting in an office environment where 'ordinary' visual tasks are performed should be in range 300 to 400 lux. For more demanding visual tasks, including proof reading and working from poor quality photocopies, 600 lux is required.
• There should be a high degree of contrast between the characters on the screen and the background
• Localised lighting sources such as flexible lamps may be used for other desk work. These should be shielded to avoid glare in the work surface or VDU screen and to prevent sharp contrast.
• OHS Unit staff can measure lighting levels.

Noise

Noise may increase operator stress and thus fatigue. Noise from printers should be reduced by enclosing the printer in an acoustic hood. General noise may be reduced by floor carpeting and woven wall hangings.

The recommended decibel range for office work is 55 to 65dBA

Technical staff from the Buildings and Property Division can measure decibels.

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Last updated: 2 November 2004