Details of IOM research on ill health associated with DSE
A variety of ill-health symptoms have been associated with work with Display Screen Equipment (DSE), including musculoskeletal disorders; mental stress; and visual fatigue. A recently completed IOM project sought information about the extent of such ill-health in DSE workers through a survey of employees and then compared the data with those in the scientific literature.
The survey found high prevalences in DSE users of self-reported symptoms, e.g. headaches (52%), eye discomfort (58%), and neck pain (47%); other symptoms such as back (37%) and shoulder (39%) pain were also frequently reported. Most of those reporting symptoms did not take any time off work. These findings are broadly consistent with other studies in the literature.
The results showed a significant influence of DSE work in that the prevalences of symptoms were higher among those who spent more time at their computer at work and among those who worked for longer without a break. All symptoms were more common among respondents who had indications of stress, anxiety and/or depression.
A copy of the full report is available from... http://www.hse.gov.uk/research/rrhtm/rr561.htm