DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT
ALAS HEALTHCARE
Scope
Policy Statement
The Policy
Management
Employees
Conducting a DSE / Workstation Assessments – Appendix A
Eye Tests
Summary
Related Policies
Related Guidance
Training Statement
Appendix A: Display Screen Equipment and Work-Station Checklist
To satisfy legislative requirements and protect our employees from ill health, this policy details this organisations commitment to, and managing the use of display screen equipment (DSE) and the arrangements in place for assessment and remedial action.
As an organisation, we recognise our accountability in law for ensuring that this policy and the legislative requirements of the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations1992 are implemented at all our workplaces to ensure the safety and welfare of all staff using DSE to perform their duties.
We acknowledge that failure to meet the minimum requirements can lead to skeletal problems, eye strain, fatigue, or mental stress. Display Screen Equipment includes display screen equipment, computers, computer, workstation, workstations, and any visual display unit. These problems can be overcome by the good ergonomic design of equipment and furniture, a good working environment and careful planning of the tasks performed.
A member of staff shall be considered as a “Designated DSE User” if they habitually use DSE as a significant part of their normal work (daily, for continuous periods of an hour or more).
For all DSE the workstation, as defined, is the assembly including the screen, keyboard, other parts of the computer and its accessories (such as the mouse or other input device), the desk, chair, and the immediate work environment.
The day to day management responsibility for implementing this policy is delegated through the normal management chain [INSERT POSTS OR PERSONNEL] and all DSE users have an active role and responsibility to comply with this policy and accountability for non-compliance.
The Policy
Management
[INSERT POST HOLDER] is responsible for providing all staff under their control who use DSE, mobile/tablet and PDA devices with adequate information, instruction, and training relevant to the safe use of and including the associated potential health hazards. This information should include advice on the provision of eyesight tests for designated DSE users. The person responsible for giving information and carrying out the assessment is competent in Health and Safety
[INSERT POST HOLDER] must ensure an appropriate DSE assessment has been conducted and documented for all their staff and associated DSE workstations.
[INSERT POST HOLDER] is responsible for ensuring any remedial actions resulting from DSE assessments are completed adequately and within a reasonable timescale.
[INSERT POST HOLDER] is responsible for ensuring documented DSE assessments are maintained up to date (reviewed as necessary) and readily available for inspection, upon request
[IF YOU EMPLOY AN OUTSIDE ORGANISATION TO CARRY OUT THESE DSE ASSESSMENTS COMPLETE DETAILS HERE WITH CONTACT INFORMATION AND IDENTIFY WHERE RECORDS AND ANY ACTION PLANS ARE KEPT]
[IF STAFF COMPLETE AN ONLINE ASSESSMENT ADD DETAILS HERE AND HOW YOUR ORGANISATION RESPONDS TO THE OUTCOMES OF THESE ASSESSMENTS]
Employees
DSE users are responsible for ensuring that they have received adequate training to enable them to carry out their work that involves using DSE without detriment to their health and wellbeing.
DSE users are responsible for ensuring a suitable and sufficient assessment of their workstation has been completed and any associated recommendations resulting from the documented assessment are appropriately addressed within a reasonable timescale.
DSE users are responsible for ensuring that any known health and safety issues associated with using their DSE are brought to the attention of their manager as soon as is reasonable.
Conducting DSE / Workstation Assessments – Appendix A
Where DSE users work between several workstations (hot-desking) it will be necessary for the assessor to complete assessments for each of the workstations.
Where there is mobile working or home-working, it will be necessary to complete separate assessments for each, this will only apply if the DSE is used for continuous periods of an hour or more per day.
Any actions highlighted by the DSE risk assessment that cannot be resolved at line management level i.e., funding, provision of specialist equipment, environmental issues, etc. must be raised and addressed through the management chain. [INSERT HERE YOUR PROCEDURES]
Any health issues (and potential health concerns raised by the DSE User) highlighted by the assessment must be brought to the immediate attention of [INSERT HERE THE POST OR PERSON TO BE NOTIFIED].
Further advice and assistance can be sought from the Occupational Health provider and Health and Safety Advisor as necessary, [INSERT HERE NAMED POST THAT REFLECTS YOUR PROCESSES]
The completed DSE Risk Assessment must be reviewed at least annually.
The assessment should be reviewed earlier if there is reason to believe the assessment is no longer valid, or there has been a significant change in the matters to which it relates.
Eye Tests
The regulations require employers to provide DSE users who so request it, with an appropriate eye and eyesight test. The test includes a vision test and an examination of the eye. The provision of eye and eyesight tests and the special corrective appliances under the regulations is at the expense of the employer. This provision covers ‘special corrective appliances’ (normally single vision spectacles) provided to meet the requirements of the regulations. These appliances are those prescribed to correct vision defects at the viewing distance or distances usually used specifically for the display screen work concerned. Corrective appliances not associated with DSE would be the responsibility of the individual, at his/her own expense
[INSERT HERE YOUR PROCESS, DO YOU USE AN OPTICIAN FOR THE ORGANISATION AND ISSUE VOUCHERS TO THE RELEVANT STAFF? DO YOU REFUND THE STAFF ONCE THE TEST HAS BEEN CARRIED OUT ECT?]
Summary
All employees using Display Screen Equipment (DSE) in the course of their employment should:
Complete the ‘DSE/Workstation Assessment.
Be made aware of this policy and allowed to read it and raise any
initial concerns with their Manager.
Be briefed by their Manager on the local procedures for requesting any additional training requirements specific to using DSE.
Be briefed on who to contact concerning any issues/safety concerns regarding using their DSE and the associated workstation/ working environment.
All records of assessments, outcomes and action plans are kept. [INSERT HERE].
Audits of these reports are carried out annually by [INSERT POST HOLDER] as part of our quality management system.
Related Policies
Accidents, Incidents and Emergencies Reporting (RIDDOR)
Health and Safety
Training, Development and Qualifications
HSE Working with Display Screen Equipment:
Training Statement
All staff, during induction, are made aware of the organisation’s policies and procedures, all of which are used for training updates. All policies and procedures are reviewed and amended where necessary and staff are made aware of any changes. Observations are undertaken to check skills and competencies. Various methods of training are used including one to one, online, workbook, group meetings, individual supervisions and external courses are sourced as required.
Date Reviewed: October 2022
Person responsible for updating this policy:
Next Review Date: October 2023
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