Published 31 Jan 2023
What is a DSE Assessment?
A DSE (Display Screen Equipment) assessment is a legally mandated evaluation of risks for employees who use electronic devices (e.g., display monitors, laptops, tablets, smartphones) for at least an hour or more as part of their normal daily work. Also known as a VDU (Video Display Unit) assessment, it aims to identify the controls necessary to address the problems experienced by DSE users and help them avoid long-term musculoskeletal disorders (MSD).
DSE Assessment Form Template
The DSE workstation assessment form can be used by employers who need to comply with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. It can be used as an aid to risk assessment and to help comply with the Schedule to the Regulations. It lists risk factors in six areas, with ”yes/no” tick boxes: keyboards, mouse and trackball, display screens, software, furniture, and work environment. It also lists issues to consider and provides a space to record planned action.
In this article
- What is a DSE Assessment Form?
- Why Should You Complete a Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessment?
- The Impact of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
- How to Conduct a DSE Assessment with SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) Forms & Tools
- Featured DSE Assessment Forms
What is a DSE Assessment Form?
A DSE assessment form is a questionnaire used to gather information on how an employee works with a DSE and aims to identify working hazards. It is often completed in three ways: through self-assessments, assessments by in-house DSE assessors, or those conducted by professional, third-party DSE assessors.
Why Should You Complete a Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Assessment?
Frequent and prolonged use of display screen equipment can lead to upper limb disorders (neck, shoulder, arm, wrist, and hand pain), stress fatigue, and temporary eye strain. Work-related MSDs are associated with work patterns that include:
- Fixed or constrained body positions
- Continuous repetitive movements
- Force concentrated on small parts of the body such as the hand or wrist
- A work pace that does not allow sufficient recovery between movements
If unmitigated or left untreated, these risks can lead to long-term musculoskeletal injuries and permanent damage, taking a toll on employees’ overall productivity levels and their livelihood.
The Impact of Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
The impact of work-related MSDs can be measured in terms of “human” costs (the impact on an individual’s quality of life and, for fatal injuries, loss of life) and financial costs, such as loss of production and healthcare costs.
In the UK, MSDs are one of the biggest causes of absenteeism and productivity loss. In Great Britain alone, 480,000 workers were reported suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2019/20, with 8.9 million working days being lost as a result; of the reported MSDs, 44% involved the upper limbs or neck, 37% are back injuries, and the remaining 19% are in the lower limbs.
In another study by the UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE), work-related injuries and ill health already cost UK companies around 15 billion pounds a year. Ill health comprises a greater percentage of total costs, despite injuries accounting for a greater proportion of cases, because these cases result in more time off work on average, which drives higher costs.
MSDs can significantly affect both the employee and the organization—with the former having to take time off work for an extensive amount of time to the latter losing productivity due to lost man hours. Employers and employees have a shared responsibility to understand the impact MSDs can have on their lives and ensure that ergonomic hazards are addressed proactively with DSE assessments.
Put into law through the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, DSE assessments help ensure that employees working with DSE devices are protected from risks associated with the use of these equipment. The regulation is designed to protect both employers and workers who are often unaware that poor ergonomic conditions and workstation design can trigger injuries that may not be immediately obvious to the naked eye.
DSE assessments are proactive tools that can help manage these risks and promote safe working conditions for employees working with DSE. Read more on the DSE Regulations 1992 to know more about the detailed DSE assessment requirements for employers.
A DSE risk assessment should be completed by employers in the UK, specifically when a new workstation is set up, a new DSE user starts work, a change is made to an existing workstation, or DSE users complain of discomfort. Moreover, the HSE recommends UK-based companies who employ many DSE users to appoint a competent DSE assessor who can help to evaluate workstation risks, put control measures in place, and provide the appropriate DSE training.
It is good practice for any company to conduct DSE assessments at least once a year. For a proactive measure, companies can also train employees to conduct DSE self-assessments regularly to help them identify ergonomic hazards on their own. DSE assessment requirements apply not only to large corporate offices but also to remote working arrangements, temporary workplaces, co-working spaces, and individual offices.
How to Conduct a DSE Assessment with SafetyCulture (formerly iAuditor) Forms & Tools
Conducting DSE assessments help identify possible causes of ergonomic injuries and come up with the right action plan. SafetyCulture, a powerful and customizable inspection app, helps companies promote safe working conditions for DSE users by encouraging them to conduct self-assessments.
-
Mobile DSE assessment tool
DSE users can easily conduct paperless DSE assessments with their own mobile devices and digital DSE assessment checklists. -
Take photos and make notes
Easily take photos and include notes to explain the DSE ergonomic risks found. -
Quick actions
Immediately assign actions to the appropriate person to address any ergonomic risk found during the assessment. -
Digital reports
Submit comprehensive DSE assessment reports via a weblink or PDF document. -
Data analytics
Employers can take advantage of SafetyCulture Analytics to identify recurring issues reported by DSE users and use these insights to proactively improve the workplace.
Featured DSE Assessment Forms
DSE Workstation Self-Assessment Checklist
This display screen equipment (DSE) workstation checklist can be used by employees to conduct self-assessments and be in compliance with the DSE Regulations 1992. It serves as a guide as they go through different aspects of their DSE workstations and note positive or negative experiences when using DSE devices.
VDU Workstation Assessment Checklist
The video display unit (VDU) workstation assessment checklist can help safety representatives and individual workers carry out inspections where there are visual display units (VDU), such as computer screens (also referred to as DSE).
SafetyCulture Content Specialist
Jona Tarlengco
