HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP FC 352 05/06/1987 1984-1988 411 REPORT l „F THE !II
COMMITTEE ON FINANCE
Date: April 7 , 1987 Re: Comm . 1008
Place : Councilroom
Time: 9 :00 a .m .
Chairman and Members
Hawaii County Council •
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred Resolution
No. 283-87 , reports as follows:
The purpose of Resolution No . 283-87 is to transfer and appropriate
$17 ,000 as follows:
Out and From:
010-911-5911 .13-341 CONTINGENCY ACCOUNT $17 ,000
Credited To:
010-261-5261 .13-115 VDT EYE EXAMS $17 ,000
Since there is a possibility that prolonged exposure could result in
eyestrain or related problems , arrangements are being made for those
employees using a video display terminal for at least one hour per
day or 20 hours per month to have an eye examination . Approximately
239 employees are being scheduled for eye examinations .
At the March 23rd Finance Committee meeting, the committee expressed
its concern that rather than addressing a solution , the $17 ,000 was
being used to establish a baseline for VDT users . Your committee
heard that the baseline would assist the administration in their
efforts to determine whether the County does , in fact, have a
problem. Committee members were concerned that such a program may
expose the County to greater liability .
Your committee deferred action on Resolution 283-87 , pending more
information from the administration . The Division of Industrial
Safety responded by the following:
1 . Most visual problems are "organic" in nature; as such , the
County has a convincing basis to prevail in a
compensability hearing.
2 . By establishing a policy for VDT users, employee/employer
relations and morale should be improved .
3 . Establishing a baseline would enable corrective measures
to be taken should an employee show signs of visual
difficulty .
4 . It is anticipated that this program will educate employees
in recognizing the inherited nature of most visual
problems .
FC REPORT No, 352
ADOPTED : _MY_._4.....61987
411
FC-352 Page 2 April 7 , 1987
A representative from the Hawaii Government Employees Association
testified in support of the proposal . Introduction and use of
visual display terminals in the work place have raised concerns over
safety and health effects on the employees who come in contact with
video display terminals . Proper study, implementation of preventive
measures and monitoring of the work environment may minimize the
problem, if it exists .
As of January 1987 , the County of Hawaii did issue a VDT Operation
Policy. The County 's policy provides a method to monitor VDT users °
health and safety and to prevent real and potential injuries .
Your committee heard that studies have been conducted by many
organizations and a common theme that persistently appears focuses
on "ergonomics" . Ergonomics is a human factor engineering , the
design of things and facilities which would serve human needs
reasonably well . Tools and environment should be subordinate to
human requirements and needs . Ergonomically designed work
environments make for more comfort which result in greater job
satisfaction and productivity.
Poor ergonomic design results in health effects , such as vision
problems , backaches , neck aches , stiffness in the shoulder area and
other problems . The University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1985
recommended that VDT users who spend more than one hour per day
should obtain a baseline vision examination before VDT work begins
and a status examination every five years thereafter except that
status examinations be every three years after the age of 45 .
The City and County of Honolulu has had a policy since 1983 and they
report that there has been no rash of complaints or worker 's
compensation claims . The East-West Center provides annual
examinations for VDT users of more than two hours per day and that
rest periods are provided for . The rest break is not a coffee
break , but an opportunity for users to get off the VDT to prevent
injury or strain to the eyes .
Your committee expressed its concern as to the confusion regarding
the need for eye examinations or the need for more specialized
equipment . Your committee heard that as far as the issue of
worker 's compensation, the whole person and environment would have
to be considered. In determining a worker 's compensation claim, the
whole person is looked at - what do they do both at work and outside
of work , and their medical history.
Your committee also heard that the issue of a VDT policy was
submitted during negotiations , however , the matter was withdrawn
after the employers explained that policies were already in place or
being developed .
111 111
FC- 352 Page 3 April 7 , 1987
The Safety Coordinator explained that under the prior
administration , a policy was developed , however , never implemented .
A committee consisting of Dr . Gerrett Ludwig, Mr . George Paiva and
Mr . Megumi Kon did attempt to develop guidelines. Recent
examinations by Dr . Ludwig indicated that certain employees need to
correct refractive error , which are not VDT related but hereditary .
Such findings are reassuring to skeptical employees that the VDT is
relatively harmless if proper operational procedures are complied
with .
Your committee also heard that the County of Hawaii has one of the
finest equipment in the state . We are the most computerized county
in the state . The Administration is hoping that this program will
reduce the potential worker 's compensation claims and that there
will be positive benefits for the County .
Pursuant to Section 10-9 of the Hawaii County Charter , the Council ,
by resolution , may transfer part or all of any unencumbered
appropriation balance from one agency to another .
Your Committee on Finance is in accord with the intent and purpose
of Resolution No . 283-87 and recommends ' s adoption .
FRANK DE LUZ III, CHAIRMAN
Ad � � �. �1 t.SA
ORR• INE '!WJITCHAKU NOUYE, V.C. AMES K. DAHLBERG, MEMB
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TAKASHI DOMINGO, ME RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, MEMBER
, • /
MERLE K. LAI, MEMAER ' " "CER K. SCHUTTE, MEMBER
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