Portable computing and communication devices and their impact on workers’ health

A new European Commission report examines the increasing use of portable computing and communication devices, and its impact on the health of EU workers. It attempts to identify the new and changing risks to health and safety, covering issues such as working environment and how technology encourages work during free time. It also examines the main stressors and ergonomic risks, recommending new guidelines or standards rather than new legislation to protect workers.

A new European Commission report, The increasing use of portable computing and communication devices and its impact on the health of EU workers (4.42MB, PDF), provides an overview of the technology currently available and its uses, and looks at the main stressors and ergonomic risks to EU workers.

About the study

The study is based on analysis of available literature and other sources such as market research, survey results and data from national authorities. It also takes account of the opinions of external experts and the views of national authorities obtained through interviews and an international workshop.

The first part of the study looks at the types of portable computing and communications systems currently in use such as:

• personal digital assistants (PDAs);

• enterprise digital assistants (EDAs);

• smartphones;

• wearable computers;

• portable data terminals;

• ultra-mobile personal computers;

• calculators;

• laptops;

• eBook readers;

• mobile internet devices.

The second part of the survey looks at the main stressors and ergonomic risks resulting from the use of these devices.

Main findings

Increasing use

The use of these various types of information technology (IT) device has increased significantly in recent years, as have the types of work for which they are used. Usage broken down by occupation shows that professionals, clerical workers, technicians and managers use IT most widely, although not exclusively: portable computing and communication devices are increasingly used by sales staff, technical support workers, delivery workers, restaurant workers and maintenance staff. The volume of work and types of tasks for which these systems are used are also increasing; for example, the numbers of emails sent/received and the time spent writing/reading them is growing.

Main stressors

One of the main stressors identified by the study is the fact that portable systems may blur the boundary between work hours and private time, as they permit or encourage work during free time. According to an analysis of Eurofound’s Fourth European Working Conditions Survey 2005, around 18% of workers have out-of-hours contact every day or at least once a week. It is likely that mobile eWorkers and mobile workers will have an even higher rate of out-of-hours contact.

According to Eurostat data quoted in the report, the percentage of EU27 enterprises providing access to their IT systems for employees working part time away from their premises rose from 15% in 2004 to 21% in 2006. The study estimates that the proportion of employees accessing their company’s IT systems while working away from the office increased from 35% in 2004 to 47% in 2006.

Other significant stressors found by the study included difficulties related to supervising mobile employees at work and the fact that, in the case of mobile eWorkers, the working environment can be deficient in many ways, for example in terms of a lack of proper equipment, lack of proper space, unsuitable temperatures, lack of IT support and lack of informal social contact.

Types of working environment

The types of working environment identified by the report include the following:

• teleworking office;

• guest office;

• worker’s home;

• hotels or cafes;

• internet cafes;

• outdoors;

• public transport.

Ergonomic risks

This in turn brings with it the possibility of a range of ergonomic risks such as:

• manual handling problems resulting from the design of portable devices;

• repetitive movements, the effects of which may be exacerbated by using portable devices on unsuitable surfaces or using unsuitable seating, which may lead to repetitive strain injuries;

• poor legibility from small display screens and controls, problems related to reflective glare or low lighting;

• excessive noise levels from settings used to compensate for background noise;

• poor posture as a result of using devices in an unsuitable environment;

• accident risks resulting from using devices while driving or crossing the road.

The way forward

The study offers options for the way forward, noting that there are three distinct regulatory approaches that could be taken. These are:

• the development of a new directive for work with portable systems;

• the extension and updating of the directive on visual display units (VDUs) to include work with portable systems;

• no new or updated regulations, but the drafting of guidelines or standards.

Given the rapid pace of technological progress in this area, the report argues that the best way forward might be the drafting of guidelines or standards rather than new legislation.

Commentary

This is an interesting and timely report on an issue that is extremely topical and one that is likely to affect a growing number of workers to an ever greater extent in the future. The continuing growth and development of portable computing and communication devices carries with it potential health risks – both psychosocial and ergonomic. Looking at the available evidence, it can be argued that there is a need to protect the health and safety of workers using these devices. However, implementation of any future regulation or guidance will not be easy given that, due to the nature of the work, it is extremely difficult to monitor work carried out with portable systems. It also notes that employers should take action such as risk assessment, provision of suitable equipment and systems, technical and personal support, appropriate training and development of an appropriate health protection culture.

Andrea Broughton, Institute for Employment Studies