Work with display screen equipment

Table of Contents:

Work with display screen equipment

Outline of the Community (European Union) legislation about Work with display screen equipment

Topics

These categories group together and put in context the legislative and non-legislative initiatives which deal with the same topic.

Employment and social policy > Health hygiene and safety at work

Work with display screen equipment

Document or Iniciative

Council Directive 90/270/EEC of 29 May 1990 on the minimum safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment (fifth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16(1) of Directive 89/391/EEC) [Official Journal L 156 of 21.6.1990] [See amending act(s)].

Summary

European legislation protects the safety and health of workers using display screen equipment *.

This Directive contains individual provisions intended to supplement the general provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC concerning health and safety at work.

However, this Directive does not apply to:

  • workstations * and computer systems on board a means of transport;
  • computer systems mainly intended for public use;
  • portable systems, except in prolonged use at a workstation;
  • equipment having a small display (calculators, cash registers, etc.);
  • traditional typewriters.

Employers’ obligations

In order to ensure the safety and health of workers, employers are obliged to:

  • perform an evaluation of workstations, and bring them into line with the requirements of the Directive (Annex),
  • inform, consult and train workers with regard to all measures connected with their health and safety.

In addition, the daily activities of workers using display screen equipment must be interrupted by breaks or changes of activity.

In addition, workers must undergo an eye and eyesight test before commencing their display screen work, and then at regular intervals during their activities and if visual difficulties develop. If necessary, workers must be provided with special corrective appliances, without charge.

Key terms
  • Display screen equipment: an alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of the display process employed.
  • Workstation: refers to the work surface, display screen equipment, additional equipment and accessories (keyboard, telephone, printer, etc.).

References

Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Directive 90/270/EEC

11.6.1990

31.12.1992

OJ L 156 of 21.6.1990

Amending act(s) Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal

Directive 2007/30/EC

28.6.2007

31.12.2012

OJ L 165 of 27.6.2007

Related Acts

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on the practical implementation of the provisions of the Health and Safety at Work Directives 89/391/EEC (framework), 89/654/EEC (workplaces), 89/655/EEC (work equipment), 89/656/EEC (personal protective equipment), 90/269/EEC (manual handling of loads) and 90/270/EEC (display screen equipment) [COM(2004) 62 final – Not published in the Official Journal].

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