Display Screen Equipment Assessments
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations aim to protect the health of workers who use DSE, which has become one of the most common kinds of work environment. Almost all businesses use Display Screen Equipment (DSE) . A large proportion of DSE users report aches, pains and eye discomfort; many of these conditions do not indicate ill health, but it makes sense to avoid them wherever possible. Many of these discomforts are related to repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or upper limb disorders (ULD).
Common conditions associated with DSE users include:
- Stress
- Eyestrain
- Fatigue
- Arm pains
- Headaches
- Neck ache
- Shoulder ache
- Back ache
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations aim to protect the health of workers who use DSE, which has become one of the most common kinds of work environment. There is potential to make the work more comfortable and productive by taking very few simple steps towards good workplace and job design, and the way the Visual Display Unit (VDU) and workstation is used.
The workplace situation is best analysed through a Display Screen Equipment Assessment, looking at:
- The workstation, including equipment being used, furniture and the environment affecting the workstation (windows, office layout, etc)
- The job being done at the workstation
- The special needs of individual staff
Where there are risks identified, steps should be taken to reduce them where practicable. However, there are adjustments that can be made even without an assessment being made, for example employees should make adjustments to suit their individual workstation needs, such as adjusting VDUs, chairs, computer peripherals (mouse, keyboard), and documents to get the best arrangement for themselves.
In addition, having a good airflow circulation and adequate natural lighting (but not enough to cause screen glare) are also important in reducing stress, fatigue, headaches and eyestrain.
LRB Consulting can help you to conduct a Display Screen Equipment Assessment in your workplace, call us now on 01509 550023.
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