A laboratory study on preferred and imposed settings of a VDT workstation

Abstract

Thirty trained female typists performed several consecutive lOmin typing tasks on an adjustable VDT workstation. The experiments were conducted with preferred as well as with imposed settings. The body postures were determined during the typing tasks and the subjects filled out questionnaires at the end of the tasks.The study discloses that the preferred workstation dimensions are associated with mainly 'relaxed' sensations, while imposed dimensions-even if they are similar to the mean values of preferred settings-cause an increased incidence of static load symptoms in the sense of increased tension or impairments in the neckshoulder-arm-hand area. The preferred keyboard levels are mainly distinctly higher than those recommended in standards and brochures. A chair with a high backrest and a proper support to rest forearms and wrists are preconditions for the preferred postures at VDT workstations.

Sitting Posture, Postural Discomfort, and Visual Performance: A Critical View on the Interdependence of Cognitive and Anthropometric Factors in the VDU Workplace

“…Numerous studies were concerned with the influence of anthropometric and psychosocial VDU work-related factors on posture and postural discomfort (e.g., Bhatnager, Drury, & Schiro, 1985;Grandjean, Hünting, & Pidermann, 1983;Grandjean, Nishiyama, Hünting, & Pidermann, 1982;Hünting, Läubli, & Grandjean, 1981;Kroemer, 1997;Ong, 1993;Sauter, Schleifer, & Knutson, 1991;Zhang, Helander, & Drury, 1996;Ziefle, Düsch, & Wischniewski, 1999). Giving a very short overview of the studies' outcomes, the restrained body posture typically adopted in VDU work is assumed to be highly hazardous for the onset of muscular load, resulting in severe back and neck pains.…”

“…In addition, psychosocial and cognitive factors can modulate the quality of the VDU work setting. Grandjean et al (1982Grandjean et al ( , 1983) requested users to individually adjust the workplace according to their needs and compared the individual setting with a workplace adjusted according to the standard. Both work adjustments were %1)0+6+8' #0& #06*4121/'64+% (#%6145 +0 6*' 8&7 914-2.#%' measured and examined by means of user preferences.…”

Analysis of the VDT-worker interface

“…Thus, the correlation coefficient between height (Ht) and c + e (see the table), derived from the 14 sets of data, is r = 0.73 (P <0.01). Therefore it does not necessarily follow, because the correlation coefficient between keyboard height and subject height is significantly less than 1, that other anthropometric factors are of little importance for the individual assessment of preferred keyboard heights (Grandjean et al 1982).…”

P‐11: A Comparison of Workstation Dimensions and Body Postures Between 17 in. CRT, 21 in. CRT, and 19 in. Flat‐Panel Monitors

“…Viewing angle and viewing distance are factors involved in monitor placement. Many studies 2,3,6,7 have proffered several possible viewing distances, ranging from 19" to 39". A recent study 10 evaluated three viewing angles (0°, 17.5°, 35° below horizontal) with two different monitor sizes (13.6, 19.1 screen diagonal) and allowed monitor viewing distance to be chosen by the user (between 50-100 cm).…”