November 1, 1993
                                                        ISBN 0-7778-2052-8


                       HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES

          REST BREAKS FOR VIDEO DISPLAY TERMINAL (VDT) OPERATORS

Hazard Summary:

People who do continuous, intensive VDT work, such as data entry, for 
prolonged periods during a shift are at increased risk of developing a 
number of health problems. These include: visual fatigue, headaches, 
repetitive strain injuries (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome), and back pain.

Suggested Precautions:

The risk of VDT-related health problems can be reduced by: appropriate 
work station design (e.g., adjustable furniture such as chairs), proper 
lighting (e.g., appropriate illuminance and elimination of glare sources), 
training and the use of suitable equipment (e.g., high resolution 
monitors). Further information on these issues can be found in the 
Canadian Standards Association's standard on Office Ergonomics 
(Z412--M89).

Where the VDT work is intensive, (i.e., continuous keyboarding for an hour 
or longer, uninterrupted by other activities), good work station design 
should be augmented by having the operator take a 5-minute break away from 
VDT operation in each hour. This represents a reasonable precaution to 
protect the health and safety of workers. In facilities governed by the 
Regulation for Health Care and Residential Facilities, this provision is 
required by section 24. Although the duration and frequency of VDT rest 
breaks are not specified in the regulations for other sectors, employers 
do have the general duty of taking every reasonable precaution for the 
protection of workers under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. Taking 
a 5-minute break away from intensive VDT operation in each hour is 
encouraged as a good practice.

The 5-minute breaks should not be accumulated. This is because short, 
frequent breaks are much more effective in preventing excessive fatigue 
and possible injury than longer, less frequent breaks. 

At management's discretion, a break can mean a rest break during which the 
operator does no work, or a 5-minute period of work not involving the VDT. 
Ideally, the alternate work should be as dissimilar from VDT work as 
possible. The 5-minute pause after 55 minutes of continuous work may also 
be counted as part of a regular meal or other break. For example, an 
operator may work from 11:05 until noon and then take a regularly 
scheduled half-hour lunch break. The necessary 5 minutes away from VDT 
work is provided within the 30 minutes of the lunch break.

On the other hand, if the operator started continuous VDT work at 8:00, he 
or she would have to stop at 8:55 and, at management's discretion, would 
either have a 5-minute rest break or spend 5 minutes performing another 
task not using a VDT.

Further information regarding VDT rest breaks and office ergonomics 
generally can be obtained from the Ministry Ergonomics Consultant in your 
area.
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Produced by the Professional and Specialized Services of the Occupational 
Health and Safety Branch, Ontario Ministry of Labour. Disponible en 
fran¨ais.