DSE Regulations & HSE Compliance Guidelines
What Employers Need to Know
If your employees regularly use display screen equipment (DSE) as part of their work, you have a legal duty to protect them from the health risks associated with prolonged screen use. This includes office-based staff, home workers, hybrid workers and many employees who use computers, laptops and other display screen equipment throughout the working day.
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations require employers to assess workstations, reduce any risks identified and provide employees with the information, training and support needed to work safely and comfortably.
Effective DSE compliance is about more than completing a checklist. Employers should ensure workstations are suitable for the individual, risks are managed appropriately and employees understand how to work safely with display screen equipment.
What the HSE Says
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provides guidance to help employers meet their duties under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations.
The regulations apply to employees who habitually use display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work. This includes many office-based, home and hybrid workers who use computers, laptops or other display screen equipment for continuous or near-continuous periods.
Identify DSE Users
Employers should identify which employees are classed as DSE users. In general, this applies to employees who use display screen equipment daily as a significant part of their normal work rather than those who use it occasionally or for short periods.
Carry Out Suitable Workstation Assessments
The HSE states that employers should carry out a suitable assessment of each DSE user's workstation.
The assessment should consider:
- The display screen equipment being used.
- The workstation, including furniture and accessories.
- The working environment, including lighting, temperature, space and glare.
- The work tasks being undertaken.
- The individual employee and any specific needs or health considerations.
Workstations should also be reviewed whenever there is a significant change, including when:
- A new employee starts work.
- A new workstation is introduced.
- Equipment is changed or upgraded.
- Working practices change.
- An employee reports pain or discomfort.
- An employee's health or personal circumstances change and may affect their workstation requirements.
Reduce Identified Risks
Where risks are identified, employers should take appropriate steps to reduce them. This may involve adjusting the workstation, changing working practices, providing additional equipment or making reasonable workplace adjustments where required.
Plan Work to Include Breaks or Changes of Activity
The HSE advises that work should be planned so employees regularly interrupt prolonged periods of screen-based work.
Rather than relying on occasional long breaks, shorter and more frequent changes of activity are generally considered more beneficial. Where possible, employees should be able to alternate screen work with other tasks and change their posture regularly throughout the day.
Provide Eyesight Tests
DSE users are entitled to request an eyesight test funded by their employer.
Where the test identifies that special corrective appliances are required solely for DSE work, employers must provide them or meet the reasonable cost. Employers are not required to pay for ordinary prescription glasses that can also be used for everyday activities.
Provide Information and Training
The HSE states that employers should provide appropriate information and training to help employees work safely with display screen equipment.
This should include guidance on:
- Setting up and adjusting the workstation correctly.
- Maintaining good posture whilst working.
- Positioning screens, keyboards, mice and other equipment.
- Taking regular breaks and changing posture.
- Recognising and reporting discomfort or concerns.
- Understanding the risks associated with prolonged DSE work.
What This Means in Practice
Complying with the DSE Regulations involves far more than asking employees to complete a workstation checklist.
A suitable DSE assessment should consider the individual employee, the work they carry out, their workstation, the working environment and any personal circumstances that may affect how they work. This includes existing musculoskeletal conditions, pregnancy, disabilities, neurodiversity or any other factors that may require reasonable workplace adjustments.
Employees should also receive practical guidance on how to adjust their workstation correctly, maintain comfortable working postures, vary their position throughout the day and recognise when to report discomfort before it develops into a more significant problem.
Where issues are identified, practical adjustments should be made wherever possible. In many cases these involve simple changes to workstation setup or working practices. More complex situations may require specialist ergonomic advice or equipment.
Taking a proactive approach to DSE compliance not only helps employers meet their legal responsibilities but also supports employee wellbeing, reduces the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders and promotes healthier, more productive ways of working.
Related Information
You may also find the following pages helpful:
- Which Employees Need a DSE Assessment? – Understand which employees should receive a DSE assessment and when employers are expected to provide one.
- What Happens During a Specialist DSE Assessment? – Learn what to expect during a specialist DSE assessment, from the initial questionnaire through to the final report and recommendations.