For many of us, spending a large part of the working day in front of a computer is simply part of the job. However, when a workstation is not set up correctly, small issues with posture, positioning or equipment can lead to discomfort over time.
A Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessment is a simple but important way of identifying these issues and helping employees work more comfortably and safely.
Display Screen Equipment, commonly referred to as DSE, includes equipment such as computers, laptops, monitors, tablets and other devices with display screens.
A DSE assessment looks at an employee's workstation and how it is being used. This considers the full working set-up rather than simply looking at the computer screen.
Areas assessed can include:
The aim is to identify anything within the workstation set-up that could contribute to discomfort or create an unnecessary risk and recommend practical improvements where required.
A poorly arranged workstation may contribute to problems including back, neck, shoulder, arm, wrist or hand discomfort, as well as fatigue and eye strain.
Often, improving a workstation does not require major changes. Simple adjustments such as changing chair height, repositioning a monitor or keyboard, improving desk organisation or encouraging regular changes in activity can make a significant difference.
Carrying out DSE assessments gives employees an opportunity to look more closely at how they work and identify adjustments that can help them maintain a more comfortable and sustainable working position.
DSE assessments are also an important part of workplace health and safety management.
Under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations, employers are required to assess workstations for employees classed as DSE users and take appropriate steps to reduce identified risks. HSE describes DSE users as workers who use display screen equipment daily for continuous periods of an hour or more.
Employers are also required to provide appropriate information and training, plan work to allow breaks or changes of activity, and provide an eye and eyesight test when requested by a DSE user.
An assessment should not simply be completed and forgotten about. HSE guidance recommends reviewing DSE arrangements when circumstances change, including when a new workstation is introduced, a new user starts, significant changes are made to a workstation or an employee reports pain or discomfort.
Introducing regular DSE assessments can help businesses:
Importantly, a DSE assessment is not about finding a single 'perfect' sitting position. Movement and changes of activity throughout the working day are important too. HSE advises that DSE work should be periodically interrupted by breaks or other activities, with shorter, more frequent breaks generally preferable to longer, less frequent ones.
DSE responsibilities are not limited to employees working in a traditional office.
With hybrid and home working now common across many organisations, employers should also consider the workstation arrangements of employees who regularly work remotely. HSE guidance confirms that DSE regulations can apply to employees working permanently from home as well as those dividing their time between home and the workplace. Where an employee regularly works in both locations, their assessment should consider both working environments.
This can be particularly important where laptops are used for extended periods or employees are working from spaces that were not originally designed as permanent workstations.
At Raeburn Training, we can support office-based organisations with DSE assessments to help identify potential risks within employee workstations and provide practical recommendations for improvement.
By taking a closer look at how employees interact with their workstation, DSE assessments can help create a working environment that is safer, more comfortable and better suited to the individual.
Whether you are reviewing existing workplace arrangements, have recently changed your office set-up or simply want to make sure your employees are working comfortably, a DSE assessment is a straightforward way to take a proactive approach.
Looking to arrange DSE assessments for your workplace? Get in touch with the Raeburn Training team to find out how we can support your organisation.
