An essential handbook for all that carry out DSE assessments.

How to use the handbook

This handbook has been designed to provide information for assessors wishing to undertake DSE risk assessments, but also provides a number of tools and resources. The objective of the handbook is to move from a schedule definition to an ergonomic definition, the later will help the risk assessor understand the needs of the human user.

The handbook will enable the DSE assessor to incorporate this new knowledge and skills into the risk assessment and will be further assisted by understanding ergonomic methods and tools and the importance of quantitative risk analysis.

Section one - offers a quick overview and summary of the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) regulations and how these relate to Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 DSE risk assessments. This section covers checklists and what to look out for when undertaking DSE risk assessments. Information can be used to build a new checklist or as a review of your existing checklist to ensure that your checklist covers these basic points.

Section two - deals with the workstation set up and looks at what factors need to be considered and what works and what doesn’t. This section relates in particular to Regulation 3 of the DSE regs.

Section three - reflects what the assessor needs to understand about the human user, the body and what happens to DSE users when he or she sits, or stand. To help us to quantify at risk posture the Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) tool is demonstrated. Regulation 2, 5, 6 and 7 of the DSE regs.

Section four – covers work organisation and break frequency. This section relates to Regulation 4, 6 and 7 of the DSE regs

Section five – discusses workplace environmental factors and considers lighting, temperature, noise and humidity.

Section six is designed to enable DSE risk assessors understand the 10 ergonomic principles (EP) when undertaking risk assessments. This knowledge can then be utilised to ensure that their checklist that can exceed the DSE regulations. This section relates to Regulation 4, 6 and 7 of the DSE regs

Section seven - to ensure workstations are set up correctly and optimised - ergonomic product selection is discussed. This section relates to Regulation 3 of the DSE regs

Section eight – discussed how to adapt office environments for workers with disabilities and covers the different disability types and shows what type of equipment is available. Further short case studies demonstrating reasonable adjustments can be found in the appendix. This section relates to Regulation 4, 6 and 7 of the DSE regs

Section nine - to ensure workers are assessed correctly home and mobile worker assessments are discussed. This section relates to Regulation 2, 4, 6 and 7 of the DSE regs

Section ten – a number of short case studies are discussed to illustrate what has been learnt and how to put into practice the new skills and knowledge learnt.

Section eleven – examines DSE use in libraries and offers a number of solutions that the DSE user should be aware of.

Appendix – the appendix contains a number of short case studies that demonstrate examples of office accommodations for workers with special needs. An overview of how to adapt the computer is given, source of in-depth information are given. A list of short keyboard cuts is given to enable assessors to educate workers to use the keyboard instead of the mouse. A list of suppliers and organisations, plus relevant legislation is also listed.

At the end of the handbook it is hoped DSE assessor will be a be able to challenge poor or inadequate workplace conceptions, be able to question good and bad practice and finally

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