June 2010
The Dutch Working Conditions Committee will pay closer attention to the problems of colour blindness in the workplace, according to its chairman, Ferdinand Grapperhaus. He was presented with a research report on social barriers for colour-blind people, produced by the Verwey-Jonker Institute on behalf of the advisory bureau Blind Color. Colour blindness is most common in men: one in twelve men have a form of colour blindness, compared with one in 250 women. Colour blind people may have problems with all colours, including red and green. This can lead to dangerous situations, not only on the roads but also in the workplace. It is therefore important for colour blindness to be taken into consideration when deciding on the colour of, for example, warning signals and labelling requirements. Mr Grapperhaus has called for an absolute NEN standard on the functional use of colour by the government and in matters of public interest, such as traffic lights and road signs; a relative standard could be sufficient for workplace situations, provided it is based on creating a safe working environment and on ensuring equal treatment.