AFSCME Contract - MMB Home - Minnesota Management & Budget

Adjustable platforms for terminals and keyboards. An operator's arms should be parallel to
the floor when keying.
Proper distance between the eyes and the screen (suggested between 18 and 30 inches)
and use of screens which are capable of tilting backwards to provide a comfortable viewing
angle.
Keyboards that are detachable or separate from the terminal so that their placement for
height and angle can be adjusted by the operator. Other keyboard factors may include size
and weight of the keyboard and the keytouch.
Use of wrist supports. There are different kinds of equipment available for supporting wrists
during keying including padded wristrests or chairs with wrist support arms.
Use of footrests if necessary to have the operators feet resting flat on the floor.
Color of screens seems to be a matter of personal preference, although some research has
shown that red and blue should be avoided. Most screens in use today are called negative
polarity, or light characters against a dark background. Some people appear to prefer
positive polarity, or dark characters on a light background because they feel it aids in
focusing, requires less adaptation by the viewer, and decreases glare and reflections on the
screen.
Use of document holders to keep printed materials at the same height, plain and angle as
the screen, thus eliminating excessive twisting and bending movements of the neck, as well
as minimizing constant eye refocusing.
Assigning employees to specific work stations, as much as possible, is advisable to prevent the
need for frequent readjustments. Your Department Safety Officer or the Safety and Workers'
Compensation Director's Office may be called upon for assistance in designing work stations.
D. Office Environment/Design: Extraneous factors such as noise, humidity, and heat produced
by the VDT/CRT can add to operator discomfort and stress. Locating work stations away from
heat and cooling vents provides for increased operator comfort. Printers are often a major
source of excessive noise for VDT work. Decreased noise levels can be obtained by installing
acoustic pads and covers for printers or by locating printers in another room or at a distance
from workers.
E. Maintenance of Equipment: Regular inspection of terminals and work station equipment
should be conducted by the operator as part of his/her regular duties. Frequent inspections of
the display screen controls should be conducted to ensure they are operating correctly, as well
as chair adjustments. Screens should also be dusted regularly to provide maximum visual
clarity. The manager or supervisor should periodically monitor this activity to ensure that
operators are carrying out their responsibilities. In the event that service is necessary, the
vendor should be contacted.
F. VDT Work Routine Interruptions: Employees should periodically be given the opportunity to
work on alternate tasks, enabling the operator to flex other parts of their body and adjust vision
to different site conditions. Alternate tasks are particularly important when the operator spends
a large amount of uninterrupted time at the terminal. Incorporating non-VDT tasks into the job
whenever possible is helpful in relieving the monotony that can be caused by performance of
repetitive tasks and can give the employee the opportunity to build additional job skills. In
addition to the above recommendations, the collective bargaining agreement between the State
of Minnesota and AFSCME, Council No. 5, provides for alternative work assignments or a rest
period during each four hour period, in addition to the regular rest periods (Article 11, Section
3E).
2013-2015 AFSCME Contract – Page 151