| Reviewed by: Suzanne Deadman | 21st January 2025 |
| Ratified by: | Resources Committee, 03 04 2025 |
| Next Review: | Spring Term 2027 |
Contents
Introduction
Legislative requirements are covered by Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002. The legislation places a duty on employers with regards to those classed as DSE users and operators and to those employees who use a computer whilst at work. The requirements are briefly discussed below with suggested actions.
Decide who the DSE users are
It is the employer’s responsibility to define who are classed as DSE users and not the users themselves.
Where it is clear, that use of DSE is more or less continuous on most days, the individuals concerned should be regarded as users / operators. Where this is not clear HSE provide guidance criteria in defining a DSE user.
Conduct a suitable assessment of workstation.
It is important to note that there is a legal requirement for an assessment to be conducted for all employees who use a computer.
The assessment process will involve 3 stages:
All staff (users and non-users) who use a computer will be provided with a DSE self assessment to complete.
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Work Station Checklist
If the staff member indicates they requires further assistance during their assessment then their school DSE assessor will assist them and try to correct any problems identified.
Where the assessor reviews an employee, who has identified a problem, the assessors comments and recommendations will be forwarded for information/approval (where appropriate) to the employee’s line manager.
If the assessor is unable to correct the problem, the member of staff will be referred to the Executive Headteacher who may recommend Occupational Health for further guidance.
Seating – general guidelines
Chair design
All seating provided for work should:
- Support you in a position which allows
- work to be done comfortably
- Allow you to change position easily
- Not compress the thighs and buttocks
- Suit any special needs you may have
- Be matched to the dimensions and layout of your workstation.
The seat must be:
- Adjustable in height (without the use of tools) to accommodate you whether you are very short or very tall.
- Wide enough for big people and deep enough to support the legs of tall people.
- Covered in a porous material as well as being well padded.
The backrest
The height should be adjustable (unless giving complete support to the back). It should give firm support to the lower and middle parts of the back. A tiltable backrest prevents your body from having to lift, slide or twist to make backward and sideways movements.
Armrests
Armrests are not essential, but can provide extra comfort, say during natural pauses. The height of armrests is important: they must not prevent you from drawing close to your desk and they must give support without you having to slouch. Height adjustable armrests are preferable.
Moveability
Your chair should have a minimum of 5 castors or glides. This makes moving it backwards and forwards or from side to side much easier and places less stress on your body. Care needs to be taken that the chair doesn’t slide away too easily when you sit or stand up.
Footrests
If your feet are a little short of the floor, after you have adjusted your chair to suit the height of the work you are doing, a footrest will help. And if you ask, one will be provided.
Your environment and workstation
What do you need?
- Good general lighting to cover all the work done. It should not be too bright and avoid reflections as these conditions lead to fatigue and stress. Anti-glare screens should be a last resort.
- Use local lighting to illuminate documents if required. Adjust so as not to annoy your colleagues.
- Noise emitted by equipment, especially other peoples’, can be a real nuisance and should be eliminated where possible.
- There should be sufficient legroom to enable you to get in and out easily.
- If there are variations in natural light, the use of window coverings may help to even them out.
- Software should be appropriate for the task and easy to use.
- The monitor needs to be adjustable for rotation and pitch (making it easier to read from). The screen should provide a stable image, be adjustable for brightness and contrast and be glare and reflection free.
- The keyboard should be comfortable to use, non-reflective and with characters that are easy to read.
- Your desk should be big enough to hold the equipment and with enough space to allow for documents and any other work you may want to do.
- The primary requirement for a work chair is that it is adjustable, allowing you to achieve a comfortable position.
- Footrests may be necessary when, having adjusted everything else, you are unable to rest your feet flat on the floor. If needed raise this with your manager
Other health and safety issues
Stress
Stress can result from the pressures of work, but there is nothing inherently stressful in using a computer. It is a piece of machinery like any other and you must make sure that you operate it and not allow it to operate you.
RSI/WRULD
Aches and pains in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders and back – collectively described as repetitive strain injury (RSI) or work related upper limb disorders (WRULD) – can result from a workstation that has either been poorly designed or is incorrectly used.
Eye strain
Extensive research has found no evidence that working with DSE causes permanent damage to eyes. Because of their sometimes visually demanding nature, DSE may cause symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision etc caused by a problem in the eye which is not apparent when carrying out other work. Get it checked!
Fatigue
Fatigue is considered the main hazard associated with DSE use. It can be dealt with by organising the work so that time is regularly spent away from DSE work doing other things. If you think any of the above are causing you problems . . .. Tell your manager!
EYE AND EYESIGHT TESTS
Regular users of DSE are entitled to an eye and eyesight test at intervals recommended by the person who carried out the previous test. All tests are specifically for users of DSE and must be arranged through your school office.
Pregnant Women
The pregnancy risk assessment will cover DSE and the working environment. As the pregnancy progresses the assessment may need to be repeated and suitable adjustments made.
Related Policies
- COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
- Manual Handling
Policy Review
This policy should be reviewed every two years, or sooner if procedures or guidance change.