Peninsula Group, HR and Health & Safety Experts
(Last updated )
Peninsula Group, HR and Health & Safety Experts
(Last updated )
In this guide, we'll look at what display screen equipment is, what the law covers, and how to manage devices for office and home workers.
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More businesses today are making the most of using digital equipment. A lot of these devices are defined as 'digital screen equipment' or DSE.
Whilst most display screens don't cause huge harm, using them wrongly can lead to future health risks. If employers don't manage DSE use, they could end up injuring people, paying fines, and causing business losses.
In this guide, we'll look at what display screen equipment is, what the law covers, and how to manage devices for office and home workers.
Display screen equipment (DSE) are devices that use an alphanumeric or graphic display screen. This equipment holds a significant part in a DSE user's normal work; and includes:
DSE use also covers monitors, keyboards, or ergonomic chairs. Whether it's portable equipment or full-size workstations, employers have a legal duty to ensure their staff are using them safely and correctly.
Employers must comply with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992.
This law applies to those who class as an employee, worker, or self-employed person. When it comes to DSE, employers have a legal requirement to:
If employers don't comply with the DSE Regulations, you risk causing all kinds of consequences - for employees and your business.
You could end up causing workplace accidents - resulting in lost wages or work entitlements. If an employment tribunal (ET) finds suitable evidence for these claims, you could end up paying unlimited compensation awards in damages.
Every employer has a legal duty to protect workers' health and wellbeing during DSE use. This includes both their mental and physical health. Whether a DSE user works in the office or from home, it's important to ensure they're working safely.
There are several health risks linked to the incorrect use of display screen equipment.
Employees may need a couple of days' rest to recover from headaches or eye strain. But serious health and safety risks can lead to semi or even permanent ill-health - affecting their everyday life.
Let's take at the health risks linked to display screen equipment:
This is caused by poor screen brightness, bad screen distance, and lack of eye protection (like glasses). Eye strain can cause sore eyes, dizziness, and even sleep issues (for those who use DSE daily).
These illnesses are often linked to poorly designed workstations. Common musculoskeletal disorders can cause repetitive strain injuries to limbs, muscles, and bones.
This often happens when work causes compression to wrists, hands, and legs. This illness is also linked to 'work-related upper limb disorders' (WRULD), but also lower limb illnesses too.
These often occur when DSE users work for long, extended periods without proper breaks. Common mental health illnesses that occur are fatigue, stress, and depression.
Whether your employees work in the office or at home, it's important to ensure they're using DSE safely.
Incorrect use can lead to all kinds of health issues - affecting your staff and the overall business. When it's managed well, you'll be able to protect workers' health, safety, and welfare in the best manner.
Let's look at ways of managing display screen equipment in the workplace:
The first step employers need to take is carrying out a DSE risk assessment. This DSE assessment helps ensure your employees' workstations are safe to use and compliant with the law.
The DSE assessment may cover devices, furniture, and even workstations. In some cases, they can even highlight the need for ergonomic furniture. For example, your DSE assessment may find that a pregnant employee needs support cushions and leg rests.
Employers can conduct a basic risk assessment for most DSE users. However, you may need tailored DSE assessments for those who suffer from physical or mental health conditions.
There are all kinds of employees who'll count as a DSE user. For example, anyone who uses display screen equipment for more than one hour a day. It won't include those who use DSE infrequently or for short periods.
Display screen equipment users will also have a specific kind of workstation. For example:
Under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, you must ensure employees take regular breaks away from display screen equipment.
There's no legal requirement on how long or often breaks should be; so, it's best to comply with the Working Time Regulations 1998 (WTR). These regulations apply to all workers when it comes to taking regular breaks - daily and weekly.
Employers should plan work around daily breaks. Encourage employees to walk away from their workstations, stand up from time to time, or sit with good posture.
Employers must provide training to all DSE users. (It's not just for a line-manager or senior employee). With the right process, you'll be able to answer questions like, 'why is DSE training important for us?'
DSE training (commonly known as Visual Display Unit or VDU) covers all kinds of areas. For example:
One of the most common health risks related to DSE work is eye strain. That's why it's beneficial to offer employees an eye test when needed.
You may need to pay if a test shows they require one for their DSE work. If a worker asks, why not reimburse them for previous eye tests? Or send all employees to the same optometrist (as this may soften the financial burden on the business).
In some cases, employers may need to pay for glasses, too. However, this only extends to the use of specialised glasses - and not ordinary prescriptions that a DSE user may want.
Yes, employers must provide DSE training to anyone who works from home. This includes flexible and remote workers.
Offer a basic risk assessment that allows them to set up DSE workstations at home. However, you may need to provide them with safety training beforehand.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance on DSE workstation assessment, online training, and even certification (after successful completion).
Every employer has a legal requirement to comply with all DSE safety legislation. This includes caring for DSE users in the office or at home.
If you neglect the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, you could end up injuring people, paying fines, and causing business losses.
Peninsula offers expert advice on display screen equipment. Our teams offer 24/7 Health & Safety advice which is available 365 days a year. We take care of everything when you work with our Health & Safety experts.
Want to find out more? Contact us on 0800 029 4377 and book a free consultation with a Health & Safety consultant today.
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