As an employer, you must protect your workers from the health risks of working with Display Screen Equipment (DSE) which could be anything from laptops, tablet PCs, televisions, smartphones to CNC control pads, portable diagnostic screens, equipment containing cathode ray tubes or CRTs.
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 apply to workers who use DSE daily, for an hour or more at a time, whether working from home, at a fixed work station or at a hot desk. These workers are classed as ‘DSE users’.
Employers of these users MUST carry out a DSE workstation assessment when a new workstation is set up so usually when a new user starts work, or when a substantial change is made to an existing workstation (or the way it is used).
Software packages can help train users and help them take part in assessments. But the software is not an assessment on its own. You should always make sure a trained assessor looks at user assessment results (whether these are software or paper based). The assessor should clear up any doubtful points and provide feedback to users and make sure problems are put right.
We offer a DSE Equipment Awareness E-learning course for those who wish to fulfil their statutory training obligations and covers among other things, the correct way to set up and use DSE equipment safely, Risk assessment overview with the principles of sensible risk management, key health and safety legislation and control and prevention strategies.
If you are unsure where to start, you can download a DSE workstation assessment on the HSE website. It lists risk factors in six areas, with ‘yes’/’no’ tick boxes: keyboards, mouse and trackball, display screens, software, furniture and work environment. It lists issues to consider and gives space to record planned actions, such as providing an eye test if the worker requires one and encouraging them to take breaks from the DSE.
Poorly designed workstations or incorrect use of DSE work environments can lead to multiple pains including in the neck, shoulders, back, arms, wrists and hands as well as fatigue and eye strain and concerningly the causes may not always be obvious.
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