A practical guide for screen users covering DSE assessments, workstation set up, breaks, eye tests and laptop use, with plain answers to common questions.
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Safe Use of Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Guidance
A general guidance document on the safe use of display screen equipment, for employees who use computers, laptops, tablets and other screens, including at home. It explains what the company does, how workstations are assessed and adjusted, and answers common questions on aches, stress, eyesight, headaches and laptop use.
Topics Covered
- DSE and the law - the company's duty to keep DSE risks to a minimum, who the requirements cover, and employees working at home
- What the company does - workstation risk assessment, minimum workstation requirements, planned breaks, eye tests on request, and training and information
- DSE assessment - when each workstation is assessed, at least annually and whenever the workstation, the task or the user changes
- Setting up the workstation - workstation layout, chair adjustment, keyboard position and screen adjustment for a natural, relaxed posture
- Common questions - plain answers on aches and pains, stress, eyesight, headaches, how long to work and using a laptop
- Practical tips - getting comfortable, using a mouse, reading the screen, and changing posture and taking breaks
Who Is It For?
All employees who use computers, laptops, tablets or other screens for work, including those who work at home.
Included in the ISO 45001 Toolkit
This guidance is supplied with the TT-7-17 Safe Use of Display Screen Equipment (DSE) training talk, which is part of the ISO 45001 Toolkit and the integrated toolkits that include it.
Using the Guidance
Issue it to DSE users at induction and alongside their DSE assessment, and go through it with the matching training talk. Record who has received it, for example on the training matrix.
Answers to Common DSE Questions
A question and answer section deals with what users want to know: whether DSE work causes aches and pains, stress, eyesight problems or headaches, how long to work before a break, and what precautions to take with a laptop. Each answer is short and practical, such as telling a supervisor or line manager about aches early, when prevention is easiest.
Adapting the Guidance
Edit the guidance to match your own arrangements - who users report aches or workstation problems to, how eye tests are requested and how rest breaks are planned.
Related Documents
Other documents that work alongside this guidance:
Would you rather we prepared it for you?
A day of remote support can take the risk assessments you already have, move them into one consistent format with the same scoring throughout, and build your hazard register from them, so the hazards this guidance covers are backed by a current assessment.
Risk Assessment Reformatting and Hazard Register