Table 1.

VDT break time guidelines in different countries

Country	Title	Editor	Last review	Reference
Japan	Guidelines for Industrial Health Controls of VDT Operations	Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare	2002	9
	For operators who are involved in operations applicable to “simple input type” and “binding type” of “operation type”; in attachment, one continuous operation time must not exceed 1 hour and a break of 10‐15 min must be established before subsequent continuous operation. In addition, short breaks must be established once or twice within 1 continuous operation time. “Short breaks” are breaks of 1‐2 min during one continuous operation time.
United States	Working Safely with Video Display Terminals	Department of Labor	1997	10
	We recommend a 10‐min rest break after 2 h of continuous VDT work for operators under moderate visual demands; and a 15‐min rest break after 1 h of continuous VDT work where there is a high visual demand or repetitive work task.
United Kingdom	Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations	Health and Safety Executive	1992	11
	It is not appropriate to lay down requirements for breaks which apply to all types of work. Short, frequent breaks are more satisfactory than occasional, longer breaks: for example, a 5‐ to 10‐min break after 50‐60 min continuous screen and/or keyboard work is likely to be better than a 15‐min break every 2 h.