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Workstations have Changed: Have Your DSE Risk Assessments?

07/03/2016

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 require employers to assess the health and safety of all workstations used by employees. But display screen equipment has changed significantly in recent years: are your risk assessments up to date?

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 require employers to assess the health and safety of all workstations used by employees.

Workstations include any equipment used for working such as desks, chairs and display screen equipment (DSE). Up until fairly recently, display screen equipment generally consisted of a single monitor, however with technology having evolved at a rate of knots over the past few years, and working habits having changed to accommodate hot desking and other types of flexible working, display screen equipment has most certainly moved on.

Flat Screen Monitors

It wasn't so long ago that offices and other workplaces were filled with bulky CRT screens that would take up most of the desk. These days however, we have been afforded more space courtesy of the flat screen monitor. It is important to note that when you introduce anything new that changes a workstation, a fresh assessment needs to be undertaken. Flat screen monitors tend to sit further back on a desk, which could result in eye strain, or force a change in posture for the user.

Wide and Multiple Screens

The use of wide format screens is common now, particularly in the creative industries. Users tend to have a variety of applications open at once, tiled across the screen. The same goes for the use of multiple screens, again something that has become very common. When using more than one screen or a wide screen covered with various open applications, you tend to sit further away so that you can see everything without having to move your head. Neck and eye strain can easily result, so it is vital to ensure DSE risk assessments take all of this into consideration.

Laptops and Touch Screen Devices

Hot desking and ‘bring your own device' (BYOD) working are extremely popular, as is flexible and home working. Employees feel more at home using their own technology and it means they can work anytime, anywhere. Laptops are used widely, but it is important to bear in mind that they are designed for short term use. It is far more difficult to adjust the positioning of a laptop to ensure the best possible user comfort and safety, so if they are being used for extended periods, it is worth investing in the likes of separate keyboards, mice and docking stations so that the user can have more control over the workstation.

Prolonged use of touch screen devices also throws up the risk of repetitive strain injuries, so if such devices form part of a staff member's daily work routine, consideration will need to be given in the risk assessment.
 
If you are concerned about how your risk assessments will need to be adjusted in light of the advances in technology and changes in working habits, or you simply don't have the time to allocate to gathering the information you need to make any necessary changes to your employees' workstations, why not hand over responsibility to an expert? A comfortable workforce is a productive workforce, so it pays to follow the guidance set down by the DSE Regulations. For more information about how PMR Solutions can assist with your responsibility in the area of display screen equipment, visit our Workstation Health & Safety page.


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