Display Screen Advice

Display screen advice

Prolonged used of display screen devices like computers and laptops has been known to cause ill-effects.

Read our guide to steps you can take to minimise such ill-effects.

Legal requirements

Generally, if someone is injured you may need to show that you have met your duty of care. In addition to this, if you are an employer you must comply with more specific health and safety law as well. This includes the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations.

These apply where employees (and in some cases volunteers) regularly use DSE as a significant part of their normal work (i.e. daily, generally for continuous periods of an hour or more).Under these regulations you must:

Complete regular workstation risk assessments
Implement adequate precautions to reduce any risks
Ensure that workstations meet specified standards
Allow users to take suitable breaks or change activities
Provide eye and eyesight tests on request
Provide appropriate information and training

Example hazards

Insufficient leg room
Lack of space
Incorrectly adjusted chairs or display screen equipment
Using laptops without additional equipment (separate screen)
Long usage periods without breaks
Glare and reflections from screens
Poor or excessive lighting
Broken equipment
Screens that are hard to read

Example precautions

Desks have enough space
Windows have blinds
Equipment can be adjusted for user
Encourage users to take regular short breaks from screens
Provide additional equipment such as screens and keyboards for laptop users
Keep equipment in good order
Provide footrests
Check home workers have appropriate space and equipment for home working

Risk management overview

Identify those who regularly use display screen equipment (DSE)
Complete specific assessments of workstations provided for users and operators
Check precautions you have taken are adequate. If not identify additional ones that are needed and who will be responsible for them

Provided eye tests and spectacles if required
Ensure users know how to use DSE properly
Document your arrangements and responsibilities. Review documents periodically and update as required

Display screen equipment risk management

What else might you be interested in?

Duty of candour

All providers of health and social care services who are registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) are required to comply with a statutory duty of candour.

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Enterprise risk management

The documents in this section are designed to help charities or churches of any size to create a framework to help them look at risk universally, and formulate an ERM approach.

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Environmental considerations

Not only is the environment at risk from our actions, our buildings are at even greater threat from the elements.

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