You are using an outdated browser. For a faster, safer browsing experience, upgrade for free today.

The age features of visual fatigue in employees of modern offices working with led visual displays and prevention measures

The age features of visual fatigue in employees of modern offices working with led visual displays and prevention measures

ISSN 2223-6775 Ukrainian journal of occupational health Vol.17, No 3, 2021


https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2021.03.189

The age features of visual fatigue in employees of modern offices working with led visual displays and prevention measures

V.I. Nazarenko1, I.M. Cherednichenko1, S.A. Sokurenko2, N.S. Tikhonova1, V.G. Martirosova1, O.I. Nykyforuk1, O.M. Kornev3, S.P. Paliychuk1
1State Institution "Kundiev Institute of Occupational Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine", Kyiv
2Naftogaz Digital Technologies LLC, Kyiv
3LLC "New Vision", Kyiv


 Full article (PDF)

Introduction. The problem of visual fatigue in professional users of personal computers (PC) and visual display devices (VDD) working in modern offices is quite relevant, especially with the introduction of new energy-saving technologies based on the use of LEDs and negative age-related changes in the demographic situation in EU countries and Ukraine. According to the researches, from 40 to 70% of professional PC users have manifestations of chronic visual fatigue (asthenopia) and other negative changes in the visual organ, the frequency of which increases with age and requires appropriate preventive measures.

The purpose of the study - to establish the age characteristics of the formation of visual fatigue in employees of modern offices when working with visual displays and to determine prevention measures.

Materials and methods of research. Sanitary and hygienic researches of working conditions and questionnaire survey of 121 professional users of computer equipment were carried out to determine visual fatigue and comfort of the light environment in office premises and visual stress in the age groups 20–29, 30–39, 40–49, 50–59 years. The studies of lighting levels, visible light spectrum and color temperature of light sources were performed using a spectrometer SECONIK 7000 (Japan). An original questionnaire on determination of degree of visual fatigue in professional PC users has been developed and tested. The evaluation of the results of the study was carried out according to the following gradation: no visual fatigue (0 points), light fatigue (<4 points), moderate fatigue (4 – 10 points), severe fatigue (> 10 points). Additionally, KSS (Karolinska Sleepness Scale) and Samn-Perelli (SPS) tests of the seven-point fatigue scale were used.

Results. It is established that intense visual work is a leading factor in the labor process of office workers and monitoring of visual display devices (VDD) lasts for 3.5 - 6.0 hours. The non-production load on the organ of vision for 3-6 hours is also significant. (laptops/PCs, smartphones, TV). The color temperature of information display devices in the workplace is 5905 ± 139 K and this parameter is close to "natural" light. The maximum radiation of the LED monitor falls on the "blue" part of the visible spectrum (430-450 nm), which has a negative impact on the functional state of the visual analyzer. According to the questionnaire, survey of office workers has determined on average a moderate degree of visual fatigue (4.89 ± 0.53 points). The first signs of moderate visual fatigue in office workers of Naftogaz DT LLC appear 10 years earlier (age group of 30-39 years) than general fatigue (age group of 40-49 years), which requires the introduction of preventive measures.

Conclusions. The general assessment of working conditions of office workers belongs to class 3.1 - 3.2. (harmful) according to the criteria of the Hygienic Classification of Labor (2014) according to the leading factor of visual work intensity, which is due to the observation of VDDs for 3.5-6.0 hours a day. Taking into account the out-of-work viewing of VDDs, the total load on the vision organ during the day is 6.5 – 12 hours and exceeds sanitary norms in Ukraine (4 hours). To prevent visual fatigue, office workers are offered hygienic and technical measures: regulated breaks for rest every 1-2 hours for 10-15 minutes and organization of work in such a way as to minimize the duration of visual contact with VDD, the use of appropriate filters such as «ЖС-19» (Ukraine), which allow to shift the predominant wavelength of radiation from 430-450 nm (blue light) to 550-560 nm (green light).

Key words: visual fatigue, age features, employees of modern offices, means of visual display of information, prevention measures.

References

  1. Rubtsov M. Yu., Matyukhin V.V, Rubtsova N.B. Comprehensive Study of the Influence of the Characteristics of the Working Environment on the Physiological and Psychological State of Office Workers. Occup. Med. &Indust. Ecol. 2012. No 4. P. 9-13.
  2. Guidelines for using computers preventing and managing discomfort, pain and injury. ACC Publication: OCT 11, 2013. URL: www.acc.co.nz/prd_ext_csmp/ roups/external./wpc090196.pdf (date of application 09.04.19)‎.
  3. Nazarenko V. I., Tereshchenko P. S., Gvozdetsky V. A., Kornev O. M., Sevryukova O.V., Strokicheva T.V. Working Conditions and Health of IT Specialists of "PJSC Ukrtelecom". Environ. andHealth. 2015. No 2. P. 37 - 40.
  4. NIOSH Publication on Video Display Terminals. Third ed. NIOSH Publication No 99-135. Sept.1999.132 p. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/99-135/pdfs/99-135.pdf
  5. Labor of Ukraine in 2019. Statistical collection. State Statistics Service of Ukraine. Kyiv, ed. AugustTrade LLC2020. 225 p.
  6. C120 Hygiene (Commerce and Offices) Convention, 1964 The General Conference of the International Labor Organization: 48 Session. Geneva, 17 June-9 July 1964. P.1065-1068. (www.dsal.gov.mo/law/E120.htm)
  7. Logvinenko O. V., Glembotskaya A.V., Dumansky Y. D., Nazarenko V. I. Scientific and Practical Problems of Hygiene of Physical Factors. HygieneofPopulatedAreas. 2004. Ed. No 43. P. 227-233.
  8. Nazarenko VI Combined action of EMF of industrial frequency, noise, elevated air temperature as a problem of occupational medicine. HygieneofPopulatedAreas. 2007. Ed. No 50. P. 201-206
  9. Tebenova KS, Musina AA, Grebeneva OV Estimation of production conditions of communication operators as professional users of video display terminals. Occup. Med. &Indust. Ecol. 2011. No 6. P. 37-40.
  10. Nazarenko V. I., Martirosova V. G., Cherednichenko I. M., Tikhonova N. S., et al. Combined eff ct of lighting and high air temperature on human visual performance. Ukrainian Journal of Occup. Health. 2019. No 2. P.102-109. https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2019.02.102
  11. Damasceno N. A. Refraction and visual fatigue syndrome on watching the ultra HD 4K television curved screen system. Rev. Bras. Oftalmol.2016. V.75 (4). https://doi.org/10.5935/0034-7280.20160062
  12. Putra A. B. B. R,, Ihwanudin M., Mindarta E. K., Puspitasari P., Pratama M. M. A. Occupational health and safety management for employees on the risk of diseases due to the intensity of computer use in the workplace/industry. MATEC Web of Conferences. 204, 01016 (2018) [access. Aug 28 2021]. https://doi.org/10.1051/matecconf/201820401016
  13. Martirosova V. G., Sorokin V. M., Nfzarenko V. I.,Cherednichenko I. M., Tikhonova N. S. ,Beseda O. Yu. Blue light as an occupational health problem. Ukrainian Journal of Occupational Health. 2019. No 3(15). P. 194-203. https://doi.org/10.33573/ujoh2019.03.194
  14. DSTU EN 62471: 2017 Photobiological Safety of Lamps and Lamp Systems (EN 62471: 2008, IDT; IEC 62471: 2006, MOD). Kiev. DP "UkrNDNC".2018. 33 p. http://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page?id_doc=74817
  15. Directive 2006/25/ec of the European Parliament and of the Council on the Minimum Health and Safety Requirements Regarding the Exposure of Workers to Risks arising from Physical Agents (artificial optical radiation). Offic. Journ. Europ. Union. 2006. L 114/38. 22 p. https://eurlex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/ LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2006:114:0038:0059:en:PDF
  16. DSTU ISO 9241-5-2004 Ergonomic requirements for work with video terminals in the office. Part. 5. Requirements for the workplace layout and the working posture (ISO 9241-5: 1998, IDT). Kiev. State Standard of Ukraine. 2006. http://online.budstandart.com/ua/catalog/doc-page?id_doc=53291
  17. Rajabi-Vardanjani H., Habibi H. Pourabdian S., Dehghan H., Maracy M. R. Designing and Validation a Visual Fatigue Questionnaire for Video Display Terminals Operators. J Prev Med.2014.No5(7). P. 841-848.
  18. Measuring Fatigue ICAO /IATA/ IFALPA. Asia-Pacific FRMS Seminar Bangkok - 2012. 22 p.