This instruction presentation is for RGU staff who uses DSE for an

hour or more each day & depends on DSE to do their job.

This information module should take approximately 15 minutes to

complete.

Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

WORKING WITH

DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT (DSE)

• Computers

• Laptops

• Graphic display devices

PURPOSE

A step by step guide to making

your DSE workstation

comfortable and safe to use

WHAT ARE THE POSSIBLE HEALTH EFFECTS OF

WORKING WITH DSE?

1. Back pain or upper limb disorders

2. Eye strain

3. Fatigue

BUT…..

…..if you set up your

workstation correctly and use

it safely you can help you keep

fit and well.

SETTING UP YOUR DSE WORKSTATION

Each of these components is important in working with DSE

1. Chair

2. Desk

3. Screen

4. Mobile devices

5. Working environment

GET COMFORTABLE

The chair should be in good

condition with plenty of padding

Adjust the height and angle of

the seat and back rest so that

you can reach the keyboard

without stretching and have

your eyes level with the top of

your screen

Sit back on the chair

so that your thighs

are well supported

with a small space

behind your knees

and both feet flat on

the ground

WHY?

Sitting back on the chair with both feet on the

ground will improve your posture and allow

your blood to circulate freely. This reduces

the risk of back pain and other joint or

muscle problems.

Being at the right height for the keyboard

and screen will reduce the risk of neck

pain, headaches and eye strain.

ORGANISING YOUR SPACE

• Needs to be large enough for all equipment, paperwork, etc

• Adjust the height to suit you if this is possible

• Position your mouse so you can reach it without stretching

• Keep the space under your desk clear so that you can move your legs and stretch

• Place the keyboard to allow your wrists to rest lightly on the desk

• Adjust the tilt of the keyboard to keep your wrists straight

*Changing position, stretching your legs,

and not working in a cramped space

promotes circulation, reduces muscle

stiffness, and reduces fatigue.*

SCREEN

• Place the screen approximately arms length from you

• Have your eyes level with top of the screen

• Raise monitor height if necessary

• Tilt screen to keep head balanced, not leaning forward

• Adjust screen position to remove glare or reflections:

avoid having a window directly behind you

• Keep the screen clean

• Report flickering to IT Services

ADJUST THE WORKSTATION TO FIT YOU…...

Correct posture reduces the risk of fatigue, headaches, back

pain and other soft tissue conditions:

• back straight

• upper arms hanging down at your sides

• forearms at right angles and resting on the desk

• wrists straight

• head balanced on your neck and shoulders (not tilted

forward)

Working with your wrists bent up or down

increases risk of injury and pain.

Keeping your hand on the mouse for long periods

can also cause pain: use keyboard controls

occasionally and take regular breaks by doing

other tasks away from your DSE.

….don’t adjust yourself to fit the workstation!

LAPTOPS & MOBILE DEVICES

Portable devices were designed for short periods of use but have become

the main device for many workers.

The reduced keyboard size and fixed screen position can affect your

posture which may increase risk of soft tissue injuries and eye strain.

The almost constant accessibility and connectivity can lead to fatigue.

Follow this advice to reduce risks to your health and

performance:

• Whenever possible use a docking station with full-size

keyboard and screen

• Position screen to sit comfortably

• Change position and activity more frequently than when using

a PC

ENVIRONMENT

• Try to get the lighting level suitable for you; diffusers on overhead lamps, blinds

on windows, no window directly behind you

• Check the temperature: too cold can affect your soft tissues, too hot may cause

fatigue

• Noise from equipment or colleagues can be disruptive leading to fatigue:

move/replace old, noisy equipment; colleagues to speak quietly; reduce number of

staff walking through

• Keep the work area clean, tidy and free from trip hazards

Working in open plan or shared spaces can

make individual preferences difficult to

achieve: be tolerant of others, talk about

concerns, and compromise where possible

SIMPLE STEPS TO PREVENT EYE STRAIN

Our eyes have a muscle (the iris) which moves constantly to focus on objects

near and far. If we stay focused on a fixed object (like our screen) these

muscles get tired and some users experience eye strain: sore, itchy eyes;

blurred vision; difficulty focusing.

DSE does not cause vision problems

but the way we use it can highlight

existing weaknesses.

Exercise your eyes by looking across the office or out the window every few

minutes.

This simple refocusing exercise will help prevent eye strain

EYE & VISION TESTS

Most people who need glasses for DSE also need them

for reading so regular eye tests are important.

If spectacles are needed solely for DSE work your

employer will pay for a basic pair of lenses and frames.

Measure the distance from your forehead to your

screen before getting your eyes tested by an optician.

Follow this link for the RGU eye test form.

Speak to your Health & Safety Co-ordinator for further

information.

Simple steps to prevent back pain, upper limb

disorders, etc.

Human bodies have evolved to move almost constantly and many modern health

problems are directly related to static posture and sedentary lifestyles.

Regular activity is good for your physical health:

• It gets blood and oxygen to your brain to help concentration and performance

• It helps prevent back pain, headaches, sore shoulders, painful wrists, and so on

There is no maximum time you are permitted to use DSE but the longer you work

without a change of activity or position the more likely you are to develop health

problems.

Simple steps to prevent back pain, upper limb

disorders, etc.

Every 5 – 10 minutes:

• stand up

• stretch

• gently move all your

joints

• then sit down and carry

on working

Every hour leave your workstation:

• do a different task

• walk around the office, corridors,

external areas etc.

STEPS TO REDUCE FATIGUE

Get comfortable at your workstation

by setting it up to suit you

Take frequent, regular breaks from DSE use : go for a

walk, do some stretches by your desk, or just do a

different work activity

Ask for help getting the

best from your software

or IT system

When travelling restrict the

time you spend on mobile

devices

Discuss workload with

your supervisor if

necessary

ACCESSORIES

Most issues can be resolved using the advice in this presentation. If you still experience problems or discomfort you should

speak to your manager, Health & Safety Co-ordinator or Occupational Health & Environmental Safety Department.

• Footrest: allows your feet to be supported if the desk cannot be adjusted

• Wrist rest: takes some of the pressure off your wrists

• Document holder : allows you to work between documents and screen without repeated,

small head movements

• Ergonomic mouse: turns your wrist into a more neutral position

• Lumbar roll: provides pressure and comfort to the small of the back

• Docking station and separate keyboard: try to use a full-size keyboard when using a

laptop in an office

• Wheeled carry case for portable equipment : useful alternative to carrying loads on your

back

DSE CHECKLIST

• When you have read and understood this instruction presentation and adjusted

your DSE workstation to suit your needs please complete the RGU DSE user

checklist:

• Discuss any remaining issues with your Health & Safety Co-ordinator or

manager and add comments to the checklist

• A new checklist must be completed if your DSE workstation or job (location,

environment, role, etc) significantly changes

FURTHER ADVICE

The following information is available from Posturite on the RGU

Health and Safety website:

• Workstation exercises

• Effective back care

• DSE helpful hints

• Using iPads and tablets

• Lab environments

• Laptop helpful hints