Workstation Assessment

This is an assessment of your desktop setup, the area around it (including your chair) and the work that you carry out relevant to your personal abilities.

The aim of a workstation assessment is to identify and consider any risk factors present which may be causing current or future health problems, or which may reduce your ability to carry out your work effectively.

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

DSE are devices or equipment that have an alphanumeric or graphic display screen and includes display screens, laptops, touch screens and other similar devices.

It is a legal requirement to comply with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992.  These regulations apply if you regularly use DSE as a significant part of your normal work (daily, for continuous periods of an hour or more).

If you use DSE your workstation:

1. Must be assessed and any risks reduced.
2. Any necessary controls should be in place.
3. Information and training should be provided.
4. You should be provided with eyesight tests.
5. The assessment should be reviewed when required, e.g. changes to the workstation / DSE or the User

DSE Process

All new staff should complete the Self Assessment Checklist, to ensure that any issues are identified from day one. If you believe you need a workstation assessment please follow this process:

• Complete a Display Screen Equipment Self Assessment.
• Your assessment will be sent to your manager. They will discuss and review the details with you and discuss any adjustments that may be required.
• If your manager has requested further advice from our Health and Safety Team, we will forward our recommendations.

A visit from the health and safety team may be recommended dependant on action/s identified from your self assessment. If a medical issue requires further advice or adjustments, it may be recommended that your manager refer you to Occupational Health for advice.

Working From Home

Your line manager should have discussed with you the arrangements for working at home and encouraged you to implement a suitable work set up. You should ensure that you set up your work area to be as safe as possible following the 'Working from home workstation setup' and you should complete the DSE self-assessment to assist with this. Some helpful tips to assist you whilst homeworking include:

• Break up long spells of DSE work with rest breaks (at least five minutes every hour) or changes in activity;
• Avoid awkward, static postures by regularly changing position;
• Get up and move around or do stretching exercises;
• Avoid eye fatigue by changing focus or blinking from time to time.
• Implement the 20-20-20 rule: Look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes you look at a screen.

If you have any concerns or are experiencing any difficulties, highlight them in the self-assessment and discuss these with your line manager to identify suitable solutions.

Additionally, our liability insurance will cover working from home and equipment etc., however, it is recommended you notify your own household insurance provider that you are now homeworking.

You should follow the usual reporting procedures for any work-related accidents that occur whilst undertaking work at home.

Complete A Display Screen Equipment Self Assessment