Cornell University Ergonomics Web
OSHA's VDT Checklist |
WORKING CONDITIONS The workstation is designed or arranged for doing VDT tasks so it allows the employee's . . . |
Y | N |
A. Head and neck to be about upright (not bent down/back). | ||
B. Head, neck and trunk to face forward (not twisted). | ||
C. Trunk to be about perpendicular to floor (not leaning forward/backward). | ||
D. Shoulders and upper arms to be about perpendicular to floor (not stretched forward) and relaxed (not elevated). | ||
E. Upper arms and elbows to be close to body (not extended outward). | ||
F. Forearms, wrists, and hands to be straight and parallel to floor (not pointing up/down). | ||
G. Wrists and hands to be straight (not bent up/down or sideways toward little finger). | ||
H. Thighs to be about parallel to floor and lower legs to be about perpendicular to floor. | ||
I. Feet to rest flat on floor or be supported by a stable footrest. | ||
J. VDT tasks to be organized in a way that allows employee to vary VDT tasks with other work activities, or to take micro-breaks or recovery pauses while at the VDT workstation. | ||
SEATING The chair . . . |
Y | N |
1. Backrest provides support for employee's lower back (lumbar area). | ||
2. Seat width and depth accommodate specific employee (seatpan not too big/small). | ||
3. Seat front does not press against the back of employee's knees and lower legs (seatpan not too long). | ||
4. Seat has cushioning and is rounded/ has "waterfall" front (no sharp edge). | ||
5. Armrests support both forearms while employee performs VDT tasks and do not interfere with movement. | ||
KEYBOARD/INPUT
DEVICE The keyboard/input device is designed or arranged for doing VDT tasks so that . . . |
Y | N |
6. Keyboard/input device platform(s) is stable and large enough to hold keyboard and input device. | ||
7. Input device (mouse or trackball) is located right next to keyboard so it can be operated without reaching. | ||
8. Input device is easy to activate and shape/size fits hand of specific employee (not too big/small). | ||
9. Wrists and hands do not rest on sharp or hard edge. | ||
MONITOR The monitor is designed or arranged for VDT tasks so that . . . |
Y | N |
10. Top line of screen is at or below eye level so employee is able to read it without bending head or neck down/back. (For employees with bifocals/trifocals, see next item.) | ||
11. Employee with bifocals/trifocals is able to read screen without bending head or neck backward. | ||
12. Monitor distance allows employee to read screen without leaning head, neck or trunk forward/backward. | ||
13. Monitor position is directly in front of employee so employee does not have to twist head or neck. | ||
14. No glare (e.g., from windows, lights) is present on the screen which might cause employee to assume an awkward posture to read screen. | ||
WORK AREA The work area is designed or arranged for doing VDT tasks so that . . . |
Y | N |
15. Thighs have clearance space between chair and VDT table/keyboard platform (thighs not trapped). | ||
16. Legs and feet have clearance space under VDT table so employee is able to get close enough to keyboard/input device. | ||
ACCESSORIES | Y | N |
17. Document holder, if provided, is stable and large enough to hold documents that are used. | ||
18. Document holder, if provided, is placed at about the same height and distance as monitor screen so there is little head movement when employee looks from document to screen. | ||
19. Wrist rest, if provided, is padded and free of sharp and square edges. | ||
20. Wrist rest, if provided, allows employee to keep forearms, wrists and hands straight and parallel to ground when using keyboard/input device. | ||
21. Telephone can be used with head upright (not bent) and shoulders relaxed (not elevated) if employee does VDT tasks at the same time. | ||
GENERAL | Y | N |
22. Workstation and equipment have sufficient adjustability so that the employee is able to be in a safe working posture and to make occasional changes in posture while performing VDT tasks. | ||
23. VDT Workstation, equipment and accessories are maintained in serviceable condition and function properly. | ||
PASSING SCORE = "YES" answer on all "working postures" items (A-J) and no more than two "NO" answers on remainder of checklist (1-23). |