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View full libraryOur Guide to Using Display Screen Equipment (DSE) at Work provides comprehensive instructions for safe and ergonomic utilisation, promoting employee wellbeing.
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DSE, or Display Screen Equipment, refers to any device that has a screen, such as a computer monitor, laptop, or tablet. Using DSE for extended periods can cause a range of health issues, including eye strain, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and back pain. Therefore, it is essential to use DSE correctly to minimise the risk of developing these issues. Here's a guide to using DSE at work:
Adjust Your Chair: Sit with your feet flat on the floor, and your hips as far back in the chair as possible. Adjust the backrest to support your lower back, and adjust the height so that your elbows are level with the desk. Your knees should be at the same level as your hips.
Adjust Your Monitor: Position the monitor directly in front of you, about an arm's length away. The top of the screen should be at or slightly below eye level. Tilt the monitor so that you can see the screen without bending your neck.
Use Proper Lighting: Use lighting that is bright enough to see the screen without causing glare. Avoid having bright lights or windows behind the screen, which can cause eye strain.
Take Regular Breaks: Take short breaks every 20-30 minutes to rest your eyes and stretch your muscles. Look away from the screen and focus on something in the distance to relax your eye muscles.
Maintain Good Posture: Keep your shoulders relaxed and your elbows close to your body. Avoid slouching forward or leaning back in your chair.
Use a Document Holder: If you need to refer to documents while working, use a document holder to position them at the same height and distance as your monitor. This can help reduce neck and eye strain.
Use Proper Keyboard and Mouse: Position your keyboard and mouse close to your body and at the same height. Use a wrist rest to keep your wrists in a neutral position while typing.
Adjust Font Size: Adjust the font size and contrast on your screen so that it is easy to read without straining your eyes.
By following these guidelines, you can minimise the risk of developing health issues related to using DSE at work. Remember to take regular breaks and adjust your workstation to suit your individual needs. If you experience any discomfort or pain, consult your employer or a healthcare professional.
An employer should have a guide to using DSE at work because it is their responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their employees while they work. Prolonged use of DSE can lead to a range of health issues, including eye strain, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and back pain, which can affect an employee's productivity and quality of work.
By providing a guide to using DSE, an employer can help their employees to use DSE correctly, reducing the risk of developing these issues and promoting a safe and healthy workplace.
Regulations such as the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 in the UK, require employers to assess the risks associated with DSE use and take steps to prevent or reduce them. This includes providing training and information to employees on how to use DSE safely and comfortably. A guide to using DSE can help employers to meet their legal obligations and promote a culture of health and safety in the workplace.
Yes. This template has been designed for organisations of all sizes, including small businesses, charities and growing employers. It follows UK employment law best practice and can be adapted to suit your organisation.
Our templates are developed with UK employment legislation, Acas guidance and HR best practice in mind and are reviewed and updated as relevant requirements change. However, every employment situation is different, so the template should be adapted to the circumstances and checked against the employee's contract and your organisation's procedures before use.
Yes, we highlight the areas of the document that you need to update with your own details, and where you need to make decisions to suit your situation. This saves you time and ensures that you meet best practice.
Yes. Once purchased, you'll be able to download it instantly. Templates are provided in editable format (such as .doc or .xls) so you can customise them easily, and in PDF format for easy sharing.
If you're looking for broader support, we also offer toolkits and library bundles that include the Managers guide to using Display Screen Equipment (DSE), along with other HR templates and policies for fully managing your situation. These may be more cost-effective if you need deeper advice.
AI can produce a document quickly, but effective HR documentation needs to be more than well-written words. It needs to reflect relevant UK employment law, HR best practice, practical considerations and the circumstances in which it will be used. These resources have been professionally developed around that wider HR context, drawing on extensive practical experience, rather than simply generating a generic document from a prompt.
How this content is developed and reviewed
The Managers guide to using Display Screen Equipment (DSE) is developed using a practical HR methodology that considers current UK employment legislation, ACAS guidance, CIPD good practice and the real-world HR process it supports. Templates and supporting information are regularly reviewed and updated, with additional reviews triggered by significant changes to legislation, guidance or established HR practice, helping ensure each document remains practical, relevant and suitable for UK employers.
Darryl Horn, Chartered HR Director
Darryl is a Chartered HR professional with over 25 years' experience in senior HR and employee relations roles.
He has extensive practical experience of managing training and induction HR processes and founded hrdocbox to provide businesses with practical, professionally developed HR resources grounded in UK employment law and best practice.
HRDocBox has been creating practical UK HR documents since 2009.
"Darryl provides support and advice with excellent judgement, and has a strong understanding of people, policies and UK employment legislation."
"He is someone I trust; consistent, dependable, and committed to doing things properly."
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