Display Screen Equipment Assessment

• School/Service

• Location

• Person being assessed

• Email address

• Document No.

• Date

  Date

• 

• As an employer Heriot-Watt University must protect its workers from health risks of working with display screen equipment (DSE), such as PC's, Laptops, Tablets and Smartphones. The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations apply to workers who use DSE daily, for continuous periods of an hour or more. Such workers are defined as 'DSE Users' . The regulations do not apply to workers who use DSE infrequently or only use it for a short time.

Introduction

• The questions and 'Things to consider' in the checklist cover the requirements of the Schedule. If you can answer 'Yes' in the second column against all the questions, having taken into account of the 'Things to consider' this is compliant. If you answer 'No' to any of the questions you will need to enter your recommendations in the 'Actions to take' column.

Work Routine and techniques

• Job Title

• Full-time/Part-time

• Typical working routine

• Does the user use multiple locations

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Percentage of computer work per day (average)

• Keyboard to mouse ratio

• Touch Typist

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Right or Left Handed

• Telephone usage

• Does the employee use paper documents

• Movement breaks

• Lunch breaks

Reported Issues and Areas of Pain or Discomfort

• Do you suffer from aches, pains, tingling or pins and needles in the hand, wrist, neck, back, shoulder or arms when using DSE.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do the symptoms persist after you have finished work

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you suffer from blurred/poor vision, red sore dry eyes or headaches when using DSE

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Breaks from DSE Work

• Do you find it difficult to plan your work so that you can take regular breaks from DSE work

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the Software you use suitable for the task

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you consider that you need instruction/training in the use of the DSE equipment or software

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Please give further comments on use, health and breaks

Furniture

Desk

• Is the work surface large enough for all the necessary equipment and papers

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are frequently used items within easy reach

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are surfaces free from reflection or glare

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are you able to sit in front of the screen, without twisting and position your keyboard and mouse comfortably (e.g. power cables do not restrict positioning

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Further comments on desk

Display Screen

• Are the characters clear, readable and flicker free

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the text size comfortable

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do you know how to adjust the colours, brightness and contrast to suit your needs

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the screen swivel and tilt

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are you able to position the screen at a comfortable distance (arms length) and height (top of screen level with eye line)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the screen free from glare, reflections or bright areas in the field of view

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Further comments on Display Screen

Chair

• Does the chair have all of the following:-

• Chair back height and tilt adjustment

• Chair seat height adjustment

• Castors and Glides (5)

• Adjustable Arms

• Swivel Mechanism

• Does the chair support the upper and lower back

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do the chair adjustments work properly

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are you able to adjust the chair to the correct seating position

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are you able to comfortably rest your feet flat on the floor or an existing footrest

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If the user does use a footrest is it suitable and in good condition

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Further comments on Chair

Keyboard and Mouse

• Is the keyboard separate from the computer and screen

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are you able to tilt the keyboard

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there space in front of the keyboard to rest your hands when not typing

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are the keyboard characters easily readable

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is your mouse suitable (ie does not cause you any undue aches and pains)

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are you able to position your mouse close to you

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Further comments on Keyboard and Mouse

ENVIRONMENT

• Is there enough room to change position and vary movement?<br>Space is needed to move, stretch and fidget.<br><br>Cables should be tidy and not a trip or snag hazard.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the lighting suitable, e.g. not too bright or too dim to work comfortably?<br>Users should be able to control light levels, e.g. by adjusting window blinds or light switches.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are there adjustable blinds to windows?<br>If glare is a problem to screens blinds should be kept closed.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the air feel comfortable?<br>VDUs and other equipment may dry the air. Green plants may help to increase moisture levels in the air.<br><br>Circulate fresh air if possible.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are levels of heat comfortable?<br>Can heating be better controlled? More ventilation or air-conditioning may be required if there is a lot of electronic equipment in the room. Or, can users be moved away from the heat source?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Are levels of noise comfortable?<br>Consider moving sources of noise, e.g. printers, away from the user. If not, consider soundproofing.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

Summary

• Other relevant information

• Changes made during the assessment

• Final Summary/Conclusion