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DSE Legislation
Please contact us directly for free advice regarding DSE Legislation, we even offer a FREE review of your existing DSE Policy and video call assessments for those working from home!
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The DSE (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations came into force on 1st January 1993 (some minor changes were made in 2002).They seek to protect the health of workers by reducing risks from VDU work.
The DSE regulations apply where employees use any device that has a display screen as a significant part of their normal work.
Briefly, the Regulations require employers to:
- Analyse workstations to assess and reduce risks
- Ensure workstations meet specified minimum requirements
- Plan work activities so that they include breaks or changes of activity
- Provide eye and eyesight tests on request, and special spectacles if needed
- Provide information and training
Employers responsibilities
Carryout regular DSE assessments on individual workstations. These should be done at a minimum annually or whenever an employee moves to a new DSE working area.
Appoint an individual/s responsible within the company to ensure DSE assessments are carried out and recorded.
A DSE assessment should...
Include a checklist on the working order and suitability of the equipment provided
An analysis of the duties being carried out and the environment
Identify and specific needs of individual staff. Where risks are identified, the employer must take steps to reduce them
Identify any necessary training
Reducing the risk of stress, aches, pains and musculoskeletal disorders
Provide suitable equipment according to individual needs
Make regular checks on how your employees are using their equipment and react to any difficulties they are experiencing
Ensure you employees know how to use their equipment and provide any necessary training
Encourage and provide ways that your employees can plan regular breaks way from computer work throughout their day
Eye Tests
Employers must provide and pay for an eye test if an employee feels they need one.
An eye test should also be provided if a problem is identified following a DSE assessment.
Employers are required to pay for glasses if the eye test identifies they are required for VDU (DSE) use.
Employers are responsible for providing and paying for any further tests if they are identified as necessary by the optometrist. (link to corporate eye care)
Provide health and safety training and information
Employers must provide training to make sure employees can use their equipment safely. This should include access to safety information and the DSE regulations.
A member of staff should take overall responsibility for ensuring the DSE regulations are met and receive training to ensure that they are competent.
Meeting the minimum requirements
All equipment provided must be fit for purpose according to individual needs.
Office chairs must have a five star base, be height adjustable and have adjustable back support. These are the minimum requirements, if an individual requires further support it must be investigated and reasonable adjustments or adaptations provided.
Working from home
The regulations apply exactly the same if an employee works from home or is encouraged to work from home.
It is best practice to provide a video call assessment for all employee's that work from home. Video call assessments are available from DSE Solutions for as little as £10 per employee!
Full DSE regulations, http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/dse/guidance.htm
Useful links
Book a Workstation Assessment (dsestore.co.uk)
