DSE Assessments

DSE assessment assesses and analyzes the risks of using Display Screen Equipment (DSE) in the workplace. DSE includes laptops, computers, smartphones, tablets, and other devices with screens.

A comprehensive assessment is conducted to evaluate employees’ workstation setup, including the display screen, mouse, keyboard, chair, and desk, to identify and mitigate ergonomic/musculoskeletal issues like:

• Neck, shoulder, back, and arm pain

• Fatigue

• Eyestrain

Breaking Down DSE Assessment

Let’s understand each component of the DSE assessment:

Workstation Setup

This involves assessing the following:

• Desk and chair for comfortable positioning of arms and lumbar support, respectively.

• Placement of screen to ensure it is at eye level and an arm’s length away.

• Lighting to minimize shadows, glare, and strain on the eyes.

Equipment Configuration

This involves assessing equipment like:

• Keyboard and mouse to ensure they’re close to the user while their arms and wrists are relaxed.

• Display screen to ensure its brightness and resolution are comfortable for viewing.

• Footrests or wrist support to offer additional comfort to employees.

Break Guidelines

This involves ensuring employees:

• Take regular breaks every 30-60 minutes to reduce strain and improve circulation.

• Make postural changes to avoid static postures that might lead to fatigue and discomfort.

• Perform eye exercises to reduce eye strain, such as the 20-20-20 rule, which involves looking at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.

Why is DSE Assessment Important?

Here’s why every organization must implement DSE assessment:

Preventing injuries

A DSE assessment is crucial to ensure employee health and workplace safety. By identifying potential issues related to ergonomics, organizations can prevent eye strain, musculoskeletal disorders, and fatigue.

Ensuring compliance

Organizations need regular DSE assessments to help them comply with obligations like the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992.

Improving productivity

DSE assessments help identify and fix ergonomics-related issues, which eventually improve comfort. This reduces absenteeism and sick days and boosts productivity. 

Example of DSE Assessment in Practice

Here’s an example to help you understand the concept of DSE assessment better:

• A DSE assessment expert or assessor examines the chair and desk setup to ensure the chair offers ample support and allows the employee’s feet to rest flat.

• The monitor is examined to ensure it is at eye level, an arm’s length away, and has no glare.

• The position of the keyboard and mouse is assessed to ensure the wrists remain straight during use.

• The assessor also reviews environmental factors, including lighting and noise levels, to ensure they don’t add any discomfort or strain to the employees.

If any issues are found, adjustments are implemented, and employee training is provided. 

This detailed evaluation helps organizations prevent musculoskeletal issues (fatigue and pain in the neck, shoulder, back, and arms) and enhance overall productivity and comfort at the workplace.

Challenges in Implementing DSE Assessments

Here are some challenges associated with DSE assessments:

Time Constraints

DSE assessments can be pretty thorough and require a lot of time, disrupting an organization's regular operations.

Employee Awareness

If employees aren’t aware of the purpose behind DSE assessments, they might not sound too welcoming.

Customization

Ergonomic needs can be pretty subjective, i.e., vary from person to person. Customizing the assessments based on unique individual needs requires more resources, expertise, and time.

Alternatives and Extensions to DSE Assessment

In addition to the regular DSE assessment, here are some other methods organizations can rely on:

Remote DSE Assessments

These assessments involve evaluating home or remote workstations via videoconferencing. The goal is to ensure ergonomic standards and employee health and safety.

DSE Risk Audits

These audits help evaluate the DSE practices implemented within the organization to identify areas for improvement.

Online Self-Assessment Tools

Several online platforms allow employees to examine their workstations online, offering immediate feedback and recommendations for improvement.

Ergonomic Training Programs

This method involves educating employees on the best practices for setting up workstations to address potential issues and ensure workplace safety.