SAN FRANCISCO MAYOR AGREES TO TOUGH VDT LAW

Businesses will have up to four years instead of two to provide safer equipment and working conditions for video display terminal users, under a compromise Mayor Art Agnos has agreed to sign, aides say. What was hailed as the nation's toughest VDT law won final approval last week from the city Board of Supervisors, but the mayor wouldn't commit to signing it until he talked to business and labor groups.

The compromise, which Agnos plans to sign Dec. 26, must go back to the supervisors for approval.

Within 30 months, businesses must bring most workstations into conformance with VDT safety standards.

But if doing so costs more than $250, companies will have another 18 months to comply. The law applies to firms with 15 or more employees.