Answer: There is no legal guidance on this point and it would depend on the kind of work you are doing but it is advisable to break up long spells of DSE work. Frequent short breaks are better than infrequent longer ones; 5–10 minute breaks every hour are better than 20 minutes every 2 hours. Ideally, users should have some choice about when to take breaks.
Most jobs provide opportunities to pause from DSE work to do other tasks, such as filing or copying. If there are no such natural changes of activity in your job, your employer should plan for you to have rest breaks. It is best if breaks or changes of activity allow the user to get up from their workstation and move around, or at least stretch and change posture.
Answer: Extensive research has found no evidence that DSE work causes any permanent damage to eyes. However, long spells of DSE work can lead to tired eyes, discomfort, temporary short-sightedness and headaches. DSE work is visually demanding, so it can make you aware of eyesight problems not noticed before (including changes in eyesight that happen with age). You can help your eyes by ensuring your screen is well positioned and properly adjusted, that lighting conditions are suitable, and by taking regular breaks from screen work. Employers have to assess DSE workstations and correct any defects.
Answer: You are entitled to ask your employer to provide an eye test if you are an employee who habitually uses DSE as a significant part of your normal day to day work. This is a full eye and eyesight test by an optometrist (or a doctor).
Answer: Your employer will only have to pay for spectacles if the test shows you need special corrective appliances (normally spectacles) that are prescribed for the distance the screen is viewed at. If an ordinary prescription is suitable for your DSE work, your employer does not have to pay for your spectacles.
Answer: Portable DSE such as laptops and handheld devices are subject to the Regulations if in prolonged use for work purposes. People who habitually use portable DSE should be trained in how to minimise risks, for example by sitting comfortably, angling the screen so it is easy to read and taking frequent breaks. Wherever possible, portable DSE should be placed on a firm surface at a comfortable height. Where portables are in prolonged use at the user's main place of work, additional steps can be taken to reduce risks, e g by using a docking station.
Answer: Your employer is not obliged to supply you with a workstation but should provide suitable advice on the safe use of the laptop. If your employer supplies you with workstation equipment through local arrangements (i e providing a chair or desk), they are required to ensure that the equipment meets the DSE Regulations, e g the chair or desk is stable and adjustable, and a footrest is provided if required.
Answer: No. The Regulations only place duties on employers in respect of employees (or self-employed persons working in the employer's undertaking). However, employers have more general duties under other legislation, such as the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, which requires work activities to be undertaken in a way that does not create risks to others, such as children or the public. These are supplemented by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 which require an assessment of the risks arising from work activities, including how they affect the health and safety of others not in their employment but who may be affected by the work. These Regulations apply to many of the risks to students in a school environment that result from the school's work activities, although other non-HSE legislation concerning the welfare of students often takes precedence.
Answer: Make sure you take adequate breaks and do not sit for long periods in a fixed posture. Put your mouse within easy reach, so you can use it with your wrist straight. Do not work with your mouse arm stretched. Support your forearm on the desk. Do not grip the mouse tightly, rest your fingers lightly on the buttons and don't press them hard. If you still can't get comfortable, try a different size or shape of mouse. Your employer should help by providing a range of such equipment.
Answer: The Regulations require employers to:
Answer: It is necessary to ensure that the workstation you are using is not likely to cause you any health risk. In view of this you should, even if you will be spending a large part of your day there, assess that risk. There are basic things you should always check which are detailed in the HSE booklet working with VDU's. It may be useful, if hot-desking is widespread in the organisation, to provide a checklist of what people should assess, this could be attached to the desk or workstation.
Answer: An assessment should be done when a new workstation is set up, when a new user starts work, or when a substantial change is made to an existing workstation (or the way it is used). Assessments should be repeated if there is any reason to suspect they may no longer be valid – for example, if users start complaining of pain or discomfort.
Answer: Software packages are on the market that can help train users and/or help them make an input to assessments. However they cannot constitute the whole of the assessment. Employers should always ensure that a properly trained assessor goes over the results of their user assessments (whether these are software based or done by other means, such as a paper checklist). The assessor's role is to clarify any doubtful points, provide any necessary feedback to users and ensure that any problems identified are put right, e g by changes to the DSE or workstation.
Answer: There is plenty of helpful information available from the HSE website that will help employers train and advise users about the risks in DSE work and how to avoid these by safe, effective working practices. The training should cover elements such as:
Employers should also tell users about the general arrangements they have made for health and safety in their DSE work, and how they can apply for an eye test.
