DSE Workstation Self-Assessment Checklist

• Name of DSE User

• Job Title

• Location/Workstation
  Address

• Conducted on

  Date

• Prepared by

• Following the completion of training and information on the safe use of display screen equipment (DSE) this self-assessment checklist should be completed by the ‘user’ with assistance from the DSE assessor if necessary. Where the user works regularly at different workstations a separate assessment should be completed.
  

Risk Factors

Chair

• Is the chair in good condition and stable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is it a suitable chair or if faulty check whether it is still under guarantee - chairs are mostly guaranteed for 5 years.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the seat height adjustable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is it a suitable chair or if faulty check whether it is still under guarantee - chairs are mostly guaranteed for 5 years.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the back height adjustable and tiltable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is it a suitable chair or if faulty check whether it is still under guarantee - chairs are mostly guaranteed for 5 years.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Are the castors suitable for the type of flooring?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Hard castors are suitable for carpet. Soft / rubberised castors or "glides" are recommended for vinyl / hard floors.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

Display Screen

• Does the screen swivel and tilt?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is it damaged or unsuitable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Are the brightness and contrast adjustable?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Adjust them for comfortable viewing – they may need adjusting during the day as ambient lighting conditions change.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the display screen image clear and free from flicker?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Contact IT support to see if screen needs some fix or replacement.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the display screen clean?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Cleaning materials should be made available e.g. order via normal departmental purchasing route.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the screen free from disturbing reflections?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Move the screen to avoid the reflection. Screen the light source e.g. window blinds. Colour schemes with dark text on a light background are less susceptible to reflections.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

Keyboard and Mouse

• Are keyboard symbols legible?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Replace keyboard.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the keyboard free from reflection and glare?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Replace keyboard.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the keyboard separate from the screen?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Laptops and notebooks are not recommended for prolonged use – try to use a desktop PC. If laptop or notebook use is<br>unavoidable, consider a separate mouse/keyboard for the laptop and support for the laptop/screen.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Can the user find a comfortable keying position?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the screen be pushed back to make more room for the keyboard, hands and wrists?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Does the user have a good keyboard technique?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Check that the users hands are not bent up or down and that they don’t hit the keys too hard or overstretch their fingers.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the mouse or other input device right for the job?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If the user finds their mouse uncomfortable request suitable alternative <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Does the mouse work smoothly and at a comfortable speed?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Check that the mouse is clean and if used the mat is suitable

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the mouse close enough to the user?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Advisable for the mouse to be positioned next to the keyboard and close to the user to avoid over stretching the arm.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Are the user’s wrists and forearms supported?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ensure user comfortable with the forearm supported on the desk.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

Work Surface

• Is there adequate space in front of keyboard to rest the wrists when not keying?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Could some items be moved to create more room e.g. printer, system unit, reference material?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is there adequate space on the work surface to accommodate and allow a flexible arrangement of the equipment?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Would different storage facilities create more room? Flat screens take up far less room than the CRT screens. Is a larger work surface needed?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is space under the desk adequate?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The space under the desk should be kept clear and not used for storage.<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Does the space allow the used for storage user to change position?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• The space under the desk should be kept clear and not used for storage.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the work surface matt and non reflective?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Should it be replaced with a matt surface?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the area free from sharp corners / edges, trailing cables?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Could sharp corners be refashioned or removed? Does the desk have a cable management system that could be used?<br>Can the cables be better arranged?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

Work Environment

• Is the noise level acceptable and without excessive distraction in the work area?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Could they be relocated or avoided?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the noise at a level that doesn’t interfere with the ability to hear normal speech or effect concentration?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the source of the noise be repositioned? Can equipment noise be reduced e.g. by servicing / replacing / insulation? If not, could sound insulating screening / partitions be used<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Are the lighting levels suitable?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Ask EM for help with trying alternative bulbs / light fittings<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the environment free from glare e.g. light shining in the user’s eyes?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the user move to avoid the light source? Can the light source be screened e.g., blinds<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Apart from unavoidable exceptions e.g., heat waves, are the temperature and humidity levels acceptable?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• If dry atmosphere – plants may help, or if severe discomfort a humidifier

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

Software

• Is the software appropriate and easy to use?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the user had appropriate training? Is better software available?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the software adequate for the job?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Discuss with manager and / or IT helpdesk advice?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the system’s speed adequate?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Does the system need upgrading? Ask IT for advice<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

Posture

• Is the head positioned upwards and with the eyes looking forward most of the time?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• What are they looking at? Would a document holder help? Does the screen need raising / lowering / moving in front of the user?<br><br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Are the shoulders relaxed and not hunched?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the seat too low? Are the chair armrests too high?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Are the upper arms held close to the body?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the items they are using be moved closer? Is the user holding their hand on the mouse when not using it?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Are frequently used items in easy reach and over stretching to reach them avoided?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the items they are using be moved closer? Is the user holding their hand on the mouse when not using it?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Are the forearms and wrists in a neutral position?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Can the user sit with their upper arms relaxed by their sides, and forearms and wrists horizontal?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• With the chair at the correct height are the feet supported?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Try a footrest<br><br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the mouse held comfortably in the correct position and not too tightly?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the user holding a mouse shaped for the right hand in their left hand? Is the mouse too small? Could the user try relaxing their grip on the mouse? Is the mouse clean, functioning properly, and on an appropriate surface?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the lower back supported?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is the backrest adjusted so that it supports the curve in the lower back? Are they are leaning forwards to get closer to the screen, or to reach things?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Are they free from uncomfortable pressure on the underside of the thighs?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Is there sufficient padding on the chair? Is the chair too deep? Could the seat pan be tilted downwards slightly?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

Work organisation

• Does the user take regular breaks from prolonged periods of work e.g. a break or change of activity after an hour or more <br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Varying work tasks, taking short frequent breaks e.g. to get up and walk about. Ensure lunch breaks are taken (away from the<br>workstation).<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Does the user feel able to cope with the demands of their work?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Has the workload increased? Has the work changed – do they have the appropriate skills / training? Do they have little control over their work / work methods?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Is the viewing distance to the screen acceptable?<br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Adjust the distance of the screen. A flat screen can be helpful in creating a greater viewing distance.<br>It may be helpful to alter the text size.

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

• Are they free from any other problems that could be related to their DSE work not covered by the assessment?<br><br>

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Do they need help from Occupational Health?

  Yes

  No

  N/A

• Action Needed

Sign-Off

• DSE User's Signature

  Sign

• Date

  Date

• Manager’s signature

  Sign

• Date

  Date