UCL SSEES: Managing the Risks Associated with Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Work (H&S Doc-13)

Employers have a legal duty to assess the risks to employees who regularly use Display Screen Equipment (DSE), as part of their normal working activities. The DSE comprises:

• Desk
• Chair
• Screen
• Keyboard
• Mouse or other manually controlled device

The principal risks associated with DSE work include:

• Upper limb disorders
• Back ache
• Fatigue and stress
• Temporary eyestrain (not eye damage) and headaches.

If consideration is given to ergonomic principles then these risks will be managed and can be minimal.

Detailed guidelines on how to manage the risks associated with DSE work are published by the UCL Safety Services. (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/efd/safety_services_www/guidance/dse/acop.pdf)

The SSEES Assistant Director is responsible for overseeing the provision of building facilities and furniture and is required to ensure that workstations are set up in accordance with these guidelines.

The following trained DSE assessors can be consulted by SSEES staff or students if they experience discomfort or have specific DSE concerns:

The DSE assessor will complete a Risk Assessment (http://www.ssees.ucl.ac.uk/dserisk.doc) assisted by the individual whose workstation is being assessed and will make recommendations about any adjustments found to be necessary.

NB A copy of the completed and signed Risk Assessment needs to be held in the Safety Records held by the SSEES Safety Officer together with details of action taken.

This page last modified Thursday 11 August 2011.