date: Wednesday 19 June 2002 embargo: 17:00 hrs, Thursday 20 June 2002

Attention: Health/disability/industrial correspondents, newsdesks, health & safety media

Computers: revolutionising work and the risks of work, says TUC

Speaking at the Parliamentary launch of a week of action run by The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association to draw attention to the effects of visual display units (VDUs) on people’s eyesight, TUC General Secretary John Monks said:

'Personal computers and other visual display units are revolutionising not just the work we all do, but the risks we run.

'Those risks bring with them responsibilities. The main responsibility lies with employers who must assess the risks and then inform and train their workers. In particular they should be informing them about their rights to regular breaks and regular eye tests. Unfortunately, Guide Dogs have found out that far too few employers - less than two thirds - tell their workers about their right to a free eye test.

'Guide Dogs have started to transform the 'me' society into the 'eye' society, and trade unions are grateful for the help that they are giving to people at work. Workers need to know what their 'eye' rights are, and employers need to make sure that VDUs are a business benefit, not an eye-straining eyesore.'

Guide Dogs Chief Executive Geraldine Peacock said: "The research we commissioned has shown ignorance of eye care in the workplace. We hope to encourage everyone to make regular visits to the optician, which can be vital in detecting early signs of more serious eye conditions."

Notes to Editors:

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A series of TUC rights leaflets are available on our website and from the know your rights line 0870 600 4 882. Lines are open every day from 8am-10pm. Calls are charged at the national rate.

Contacts:

Media enquiries: 020 7467 1248 or 07699 744115 (pager) or email media@tuc.org.uk

Other enquiries: Owen Tudor, TUC Health and Safety Specialist, on 07788 715261 or at otudor@tuc.org.uk

The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association: Nicky Brown on 0118 983 8242 or 07768 523996 (out of hours) or at nicky.brown@gdba.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 20 Jun 2002