What Happens During a Specialist DSE Assessment?
A specialist DSE assessment is far more than a review of a workstation. It is a structured, one-to-one assessment that considers the employee, the work they carry out, their working environment and any individual factors that may affect their comfort, wellbeing and ability to work safely.
Unlike a basic workstation checklist, a specialist assessment takes a holistic approach. It explores any difficulties the employee is experiencing, identifies the underlying causes and provides practical recommendations to improve comfort, reduce the risk of musculoskeletal problems and support productive working.
What Employers Need to Know
Every specialist DSE assessment is tailored to the individual.
It considers the employee, the tasks they carry out, the equipment they use and their working environment to identify any risks associated with Display Screen Equipment (DSE) use and recommend practical improvements where required. It also takes into account any health conditions, disabilities, neurodiversity or other individual factors that may influence how the workstation should be set up or whether additional workplace adjustments may be required.
The assessment also explores any difficulties the employee is experiencing in their day-to-day work. This may include discomfort such as neck, back or hand pain, headaches, eye strain or screen glare, as well as practical challenges such as using stairs, carrying equipment or completing specific aspects of their role.
The objective isn't simply to recommend equipment. It's to understand the cause of any issues and identify the most appropriate solution, whether that's adjusting the existing workstation, changing working practices, providing additional guidance or recommending specialist ergonomic equipment where necessary.
What the HSE Says
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advises that a DSE assessment should consider:
- The display screen equipment being used.
- The workstation, including the furniture and working environment.
- The work being carried out.
- Any risks identified during the assessment.
- The individual user's needs, including any disabilities or health conditions that may require workplace adjustments.
Where risks are identified, employers should take appropriate steps to reduce them.
What This Means in Practice
A specialist DSE assessment typically takes around one hour and is completed in two stages.
Stage One – Pre-Assessment Discussion
Before the assessment takes place, the employee is asked to complete a pre-assessment questionnaire and GDPR consent form.
The questionnaire provides valuable background information, including:
- Their role and day-to-day tasks.
- Their working pattern.
- Existing health conditions or previous injuries.
- Current symptoms or concerns.
- The equipment they currently use.
- Any workplace adjustments already in place.
The first part of the assessment is conducted privately, giving the employee the opportunity to discuss any health concerns, workplace difficulties or reasonable adjustments in confidence. This information helps build a complete picture before reviewing the workstation itself.
Stage Two – Workstation Assessment
The second part of the assessment takes place at the employee's workstation.
The assessor reviews every aspect of the workstation and how it is used, including:
- Chair suitability and adjustment.
- Desk height and available workspace.
- Monitor position and viewing distance.
- Keyboard and mouse placement.
- Laptop use.
- Lighting, reflections and screen glare.
- Frequently used equipment.
- Working posture and movement.
- Workstation layout.
- Working habits and break patterns.
Where appropriate, body measurements may be taken to help determine whether the workstation and existing equipment are suitable for the individual.
Adjustments are made throughout the assessment, allowing the employee to experience the benefits immediately. Guidance is provided on workstation setup, posture, movement, chair adjustment and healthy DSE working habits, ensuring they understand not only what changes have been made, but why they are important.
Where appropriate, specialist ergonomic equipment may also be trialled during the assessment to determine whether it provides additional benefit before recommendations are made.
Following the Assessment
Once the assessment has been completed, a comprehensive report is prepared detailing the findings, recommendations and any actions required.
The draft report is first sent to the employee, allowing them to review the contents and confirm that it accurately reflects the assessment. This also provides an opportunity to correct any factual inaccuracies before the report is shared with their employer.
Once approved, the final report is issued to the employer or line manager together with a clear summary of the recommendations.
Where specialist ergonomic equipment has been recommended, a quotation can also be provided if required.
The Outcome
A specialist DSE assessment is about much more than achieving compliance with the Display Screen Equipment Regulations.
It provides employers with an independent, evidence-based assessment of an employee's workstation together with clear, practical recommendations to support their health, comfort and productivity. Equally importantly, it provides employees with the knowledge and confidence to adjust and use their workstation correctly, helping to reduce the risk of future problems.