Posted By Steve Tupper Has anyone dealt with this subject. The idea is that instead of one IT programmer working at a desk with a computer, two work at the same machine. In some systems there is an automatic system that tells the current "driver" that their time is up, and they must hand controls over to their partner. The theory is that although the prgramming isn't done any faster, it is of higher quality, less errors and that sort of thing. There is also the argument that people get more "free time", and they get a lot more interaction. The problems seem to be along the lines of: 2 people working in the space for 1, not necessarily having the DSE set-up being correct for both people, frustration of the "non-driver" when they can see another way of doing something. There's a lot of user info on the web, but virtually no H&S thoughts. Steve Tupper

Posted By Steve Tupper This idea of 2 at a desk is a reasonable big thing in the States (by the look of various links via google), but I don't currently know if it is being used in Europe. That is to say I didn't until this week when I find that someone has introduced "Pair Programming" into one of my company's offices in the UK. I was hoping that someone else had already had experience of the subject - always nice to follow a lead! Now it looks like I'm going to be the one who has to start off the "It might be OK in the States, but not here in Europe" discussion with IT management. I am visiting the office to observe the set-up later today.

Posted By Kieran J Duignan Steve ... in the context you outline, perhaps it is worth detailing not only the differences in details of the DSE and corresponding legislation in the USA but also in the social history of ergonomic interventions in health and safety practices between the USA and EU countries. If the issue is economic, then valid measurement of performance is much, much bigger than stuffing two to a desk. Not an easy one.