My employer has recently installed a new web based system on many of our computers, since this was installed there is a constant flickering on the monitors which is causing eyestrain, headaches, and, in a couple of cases, feelings of nausea.
According to the company there is nothing that can be done about this nor is there any law which says they have to do anything about it, this being Germany I find the latter hard to believe.
I have been searching for any laws or regulations covering this but have been unable to find any, however that may be due to my poor German rather than an absence of rules. If anyone can provide guidance as to where I might find such rules it would be greatly appreciated.
William.
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Laws on flickering computer monitors at work
Regulations to protect health of employees
Talk to your Betriebsrat?
Did you check the screen refresh rate?
Check if the monitors are DIN certified. If they are and the problem persists you might be able to do something under work security regulations.
Saying they can't do anything about it is Quatsch. Stage a mass sick-out with the symptoms you described; you'll be surprised how quickly the problem is dealt with.
Saying they can't do anything about it is Quatsch. Stage a mass sick-out with the symptoms you described; you'll be surprised how quickly the problem is dealt with.
Our Betriebsrat representative is on leave at the moment.
According to the IT folk they've tried altering the refresh rate but the flickering was still there.
According to the IT folk they've tried altering the refresh rate but the flickering was still there.
QUOTE
Stage a mass sick-out with the symptoms you described
I love that idea and would do it in a heartbeat however I fear that our US collegues would refuse to get involved.
What's the system called? Maybe people in other companies have had the same problem and have posted about it somewhere.
QUOTE (William @ Sep 12 2008, 9:12 am) 
I love that idea and would do it in a heartbeat however I fear that our US collegues would refuse to get involved.
Yes its "fun" being in such an organisation. However, when you are in Germany German regulations apply. Is your Betriebsrat a 1-man affair? At my employer there is just one persion who is 100% Betriebsrat (covers 6 locations) but at each site there are a number of colleagues who are part-time Betriebsrat & rest of time doing normal duties...
As Gen said it is hard to offer advice about your specific problem without knowing the details.
As to the regulations governing a workstation environment here is a link to Federal Department of Justice / Bundesministerium für Justiz.
Point 2 is the relevant one here.
"Das auf dem Bildschirm dargestellte Bild muß stabil und frei von Flimmern sein; es darf keine Verzerrungen aufweisen."
"That the image displayed on the monitor must be stable and free from flickering; there should be no distortion present"
Reminding your employer that the blinding migrane you are suffering from may cause you to deposit your recently consumed breakfast directly on to your keyboard thus requiring the replacement of that also may help.
As to the regulations governing a workstation environment here is a link to Federal Department of Justice / Bundesministerium für Justiz.
Point 2 is the relevant one here.
"Das auf dem Bildschirm dargestellte Bild muß stabil und frei von Flimmern sein; es darf keine Verzerrungen aufweisen."
"That the image displayed on the monitor must be stable and free from flickering; there should be no distortion present"
Reminding your employer that the blinding migrane you are suffering from may cause you to deposit your recently consumed breakfast directly on to your keyboard thus requiring the replacement of that also may help.
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