Public HealthPsychologyErgonomicsOccupational HealthWorkplace Health AssessmentErgonomic InterventionOccupational SafetyWork DesignWorkplace ConditionsWorkplace SafetyQuestionnaire AdministrationSatisfactionWorkplace Ergonomic Assessment
Workers who operate video display terminals (VDTs) are sometimes reported to experience high levels of physical and psychological distress. In an effort to investigate these reports, a study was conducted that compared the responses of 145 Directory Assistance operators who used VDTs to retrieve listings with 105 controls who referred to printed paper directories. The comparison was made on the basis of a single questionnaire that was administered to both groups. The questionnaire asked about the experience of 15 physical discomforts of the sort that are sometimes attributed to work with VDTs. There was only one statistically significant difference in the incidence of complaint: VDT operators were more likely to complain of neck discomfort. On the whole, VDT operators expressed greater satisfaction with their jobs than did operators who used paper records. VDTs may pose special problems, particularly if they are selected or installed without adequate regard for the physical limitations of workers who must use them. Several of these problems are discussed.