SIST EN 29241-2:2001

Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs) - Part 2: Guidance on task requirements (ISO 9241-2:1992)

Guidance is relevant to both the organization implementing the system and the people using the equipment and should be applied in accordance with local, regional or national agreements and regulations. The objective is to enhance the efficiency and well-being of the individual user by applying ergonomics knowledge in the light of practical experience, to the design of tasks. The ergonomics principles concerned are set out in ISO 6385.

Ergonomische Anforderungen für Bürotätigkeiten mit Bildschirmgeräten - Teil 2: Anforderungen an die Arbeitsaufgaben - Leitsätze (ISO 9241-2:1992)

Exigences ergonomiques pour travail de bureau avec terminaux a écrans de visualisation (TEV) - Partie 2: Guide général concernant les exigences des tâches (ISO 9241-2:1992)

La présente partie de l'ISO 9241 sert d'indications aux utilisateurs de systèmes de traitement de l'information à partir d'un TEV pour les tâches de bureau. Ces indications sont destinées à la fois à l'organisme qui met en oeuvre et aux personnes qui utilisent l'équipement. Il convient de les utiliser conformément aux accords et réglementations locales, régionales ou nationales. L'objectif de la présente partie de l'ISO 9241 est d'assurer l'efficacité et le bien-être de l'utilisateur individuel en appliquant à la conception des tâches les connaissances en ergonomie - à la lumière de l'expérience pratique. Les principes ergonomiques en question sont définis dans l'ISO 6385. Les caractéristiques de l'écran de visualisation, du clavier, du poste de travail et des exigences concernant l'environnement sont spécifiées dans d'autres parties de l'ISO 9241. La présente partie de l'ISO 9241 ne traite pas de la conception des logiciels et du dialogue.

Ergonomske zahteve za pisarniško delo s slikovno zaslonsko opremo - 2. del: Navodila za delovne naloge (ISO 9241-2:1992)

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-May-2001
• ICS: 13.180 - Ergonomics
• ICS: 35.180 - IT Terminal and other peripheral equipment
• Technical Committee: VSN - Safety of machinery
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 01-Jun-2001
• Due Date: 01-Jun-2001
• Completion Date: 01-Jun-2001
• Directive: 90/270/EEC - Minimum safety and health requirements for work with display screen equipment
• Ref Project: EN 29241-2:1993 - Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs) - Part 2: Guidance on task requirements (ISO 9241-2:1992)

Overview

EN 29241-2:1993 (equivalent to ISO 9241-2:1992) provides guidance on ergonomic task requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs). The standard is intended to help organizations and individual users apply ergonomics knowledge - in line with ISO 6385 principles - to the design of tasks involving VDTs. Its primary objective is to enhance user efficiency and well‑being by shaping work tasks, workflows and interaction with display equipment, while respecting local, regional or national agreements and regulations.

Key Topics

The standard focuses on practical, task‑level ergonomics rather than prescriptive hardware metrics. Key technical topics and requirements include:

• Task analysis and design: assessing task content, cognitive and physical demands, and opportunities to optimize task flow for VDT work.
• User capabilities and diversity: considering different user needs, skills, and limitations when assigning tasks or designing interfaces.
• Work organization: guidance on structuring work schedules, task variety and break strategies to reduce fatigue and repetitive strain.
• Human‑system interaction: ergonomic considerations for software tasks, input/use patterns and information presentation on VDTs.
• Environmental and contextual factors: aligning task requirements with workplace conditions, local regulations and organizational policies.
• Training and instruction: recommending user training and documentation to ensure correct and safe use of VDTs.
• Application of ISO 6385 principles: integrating fundamental ergonomics design principles into task requirements.

Note: EN 29241-2 is guidance‑based and does not prescribe exact technical dimensions or limits; it should be applied consistent with applicable laws and standards.

Applications

This standard is used to:

• Develop ergonomic task descriptions and job designs for office and information‑technology work.
• Inform procurement criteria and acceptance testing for VDT systems from a task suitability perspective.
• Create occupational health policies, training programs and risk assessments related to screen work.
• Guide interface and workflow design to reduce cognitive load and repetitive strain.
• Support compliance with regional ergonomics regulations and corporate health and safety frameworks.

Who Should Use This Standard

• Ergonomists and human factors specialists
• Occupational health and safety (HSE) professionals
• HR and workplace wellbeing teams
• IT product designers and user experience (UX) professionals
• Facilities managers and procurement staff

Related Standards

• ISO 9241 (ergonomics of human‑system interaction) - wider series covering visual display systems
• ISO 6385 - Ergonomic principles in the design of work systems (fundamental principles referenced by EN 29241-2)

Keywords: ergonomics, VDT, visual display terminals, task requirements, ISO 9241-2, ISO 6385, workplace design, office ergonomics, user well‑being.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Ergonomic requirements for office work with visual display terminals (VDTs) - Part 2: Guidance on task requirements (ISO 9241-2:1992)Ergonomische Anforderungen für Bürotätigkeiten mit Bildschirmgeräten - Teil 2: Anforderungen an die Arbeitsaufgaben - Leitsätze (ISO 9241-2:1992)Exigences ergonomiques pour travail de bureau avec terminaux a écrans de visualisation (TEV) - Partie 2: Guide général concernant les exigences des tâches (ISO 9241-2:1992)Ergonomic requirements for of
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