SECTION IGENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1Subject

1

This Directive, which is the fifth individual Directive within the meaning of Article 16 (1) of Directive 89/391/EEC, lays down minimum safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment as defined in Article 2.

2

The provisions of Directive 89/391/EEC are fully applicable to the whole field referred to in paragraph 1, without prejudice to more stringent and/or specific provisions contained in the present Directive.

3

This Directive shall not apply to:

a

drivers’ cabs or control cabs for vehicles or machinery;

b

computer systems on board a means of transport;

c

computer systems mainly intended for public use;

d

‘portable’ systems not in prolonged use at a workstation;

e

calculators, cash registers and any equipment having a small data or measurement display required for direct use of the equipment;

f

typewriters of traditional design, of the type known as ‘typewriter with window’.

Article 2Definitions

For the purpose of this Directive, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

  1. (a)

    display screen equipment: an alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of the display process employed;

  2. (b)

    workstation: an assembly comprising display screen equipment, which may be provided with a keyboard or input device and/or software determining the operator/machine interface, optional accessories, peripherals including the diskette drive, telephone, modem, printer, document holder, work chair and work desk or work surface, and the immediate work environment;

  3. (c)

    worker: any worker as defined in Article 3 (a) of Directive 89/391/EEC who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of his normal work.