Prevention meausure for the eyesight of computer workers

The legal requirements concerning the protection of workers´ eyes (Directive 90/270/EEC) as given below date back to 1970s when Dr. Cakir and colleagues have performed a fundamental work on the use of computer and the impact on health and safety (s. Cakir, A.; Reuter, H.-J.; Schmude, L.v.; u.a.: Anpassung von Bildschirmarbeitsplätzen an die physische und psychische Funktionsweise des Menschen, BM für Arbeit und Sozialordnung, Bonn, 1978).
„Article 9
Protection of workers’ eyes and eyesight
1. Workers shall be entitled to an appropriate eye and eyesight test carried out by a person with the necessary capabilities:
– before commencing display screen work,
– at regular intervals thereafter, and
– if they experience visual difficulties which may be due to display screen work.
2. Workers shall be entitled to an ophthalmological examination if the results of the test referred to in paragraph 1 show that this is necessary.
3. If the results of the test referred to in paragraph 1 or of the examination referred to in paragraph 2 show that it is necessary and if normal corrective appliances cannot be used, workers must be provided with special corrective appliances appropriate for the work concerned.
4. Measures taken pursuant to this Article may in no circumstances involve workes in additional financial cost.
5. Protection of workers’ eyes and eyesight may be provided as part of a national health system.“

The first implementation of the idea was a collective agreement between the German unions of printers and journalists and the respective employer associations signed after a long industrial action. One of the most interesting aspects of this industrial action may be seen in its focus: Quality of work and work environment.
The international breakthrough of the idea has commenced with the publication of the book “The VDT Manual” (s. Cakir, Hart, Stewart, 1979) containing a document entitled „Eye tests for VDU operators“ (VET), and installing a VET Advisory Group.

First large scale implementation of comparable tests took place in Germany with the regulation of the so called „Principle G37“ as a measure of overall medical prevention for all office workers. The later issued legal requirements of the EU focus on eyesight only.

Currently, the prevention for the eyesight is part of the ArbMedVV (Ordinance on Occupational Health Care, latest version from Oct. 2013)
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