© On Safe Lines 2010 - Established 2003 - Web Master : BGW
Registered Company in England and Wales : Company No 4836377
Counter Started on the 11th Jun 2010
On Safe Lines Free Advice on Display Screen Equipment (DSE / VDU) Health Risks and Management to Help You Manage Health and Safety Responsibilities
First things first, with respect to, The Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (DSE Regulations) what is the difference between a VDU, a VDT, a monitor and display screen equipment (DSE)?
Basically there is not one. All these terms mean the same thing - a display screen, usually forming part of a computer and showing text, numbers and / or graphics.
It should be remembered that the most important aim of the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations is to ensure the risks to the health and safety of employees are at an absolute minimum. This by ensuring that a proper workstation setup and good employee posture is maintained.
DSE Regulations are not onerous; however, some companies find compliance somewhat difficult to sustain.
This mainly down to reasons such as large numbers of staff, constant office re-organisations, staff alterations new or changing buildings, equipment and furniture. A of which can add to the need for a new or revised DSE risk assessment. Many of these concerns can be resolved by a clearly written DSE setup handbook or guide and a well constructed self-assessment checklist, designed to evaluate all aspects of DSE risks. Employers, however, should always ensure that a properly trained assessor (i.e. a health and safety officer or other competent in-house employee) goes over the results of users’ self-assessments. The assessor’s role is to clarify any doubtful points, provide any necessary feedback to the user, and ensure where any problems have been identified by the assessment, they are corrected.
The regulations do not, however, apply to display screen equipment used in the following situations:-
- Displays in drivers cabs or control cabs for vehicles or machinery
- Computer systems on board a means of transport
- Computer systems intended for public use
- Portable systems, e.g., laptop computers, when not used as part of a permanent workstation
So you may ask if the regulations apply to work with laptops or other portable DSE?
Portable DSE such as a laptop is subject to the regulations if in prolonged use for work purposes. Employees who habitually use portable DSE should be trained in how to minimise risks, for example, by sitting comfortably, angling the screen so it is easy to read, and taking frequent breaks. Wherever possible when used at the user’s main place of work, additional steps can be taken to reduce risks, e.g. by using a docking station.
DSE regulations can be broken down into seven simple steps.
Decide which employees are classed as DSE user, (normally obvious, however, good
guidance is available within L26 ‘Display Screen Equipment Work; Guidance on Regulations’),- Carry out an assessment or issue a self-assessment check list,
- Review the assessment and use the findings to eliminate or reduce identified risks,
- Ensure the workstation meets the minimum requirements,
- Plan the daily work routine of uses (i.e. Breaks),
- Provide training and information to users,
Where necessary provide eye and eyesight testing.
There is much guidance to assist companies complying with their DSE requirements, some Health and Safety Executive publications are listed below.
L26 Display Screen Equipment Work; Guidance on Regulations- HSG90 The law on VDUs – An easy guide
- HSG57 Seating at Work
- HSG38 Lighting at Work
- INDG36 Working with VDUs
One final word to finish off is the fact that assessments should also be repeated if there is any reason to suspect they may no longer be valid - for example, if users start complaining of pain or discomfort.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article by On Safe Lines, and feel free to browse through the vast quantity of free advice contained within On Safe Lines website, and please, do come back soon, the site is growing every day.
Note, this article is continued on the next page…
Continued..
DSE EQUIPMENT
