What Is The Display Screen Equipment Regulations?

Date First Published: 21st August 2023

Topic: Computer Systems

Subtopic: Legislation & User Data Protection

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty: Medium

Difficulty Level: 5/10

CONTENTS

Elements

Learn about what the Display Screen Equipment Regulations is in this article.

The Display Screen Equipment Regulations (DSER) is a piece of legislation introduced in 1992 which applies to workers that regularly use DSE continuously, like for several hours a day. They don't apply to workers who only use DSE for a short period of time. The Display Screen Equipment Regulations extended the Health and Safety At Work Act to ensure that display equipment complies with the health and safety regulations to ensure that users are not harmed in any way. These regulations apply to workers who are at a fixed workstation, mobile workers, and home workers.

Breaches of these regulations are usually punished by a fine. For severe breaches and large businesses, these fines can be very large, possibly in the hundreds of thousands of pounds. In some cases, breaches of these regulations can result in being issued with an improvement notice and civil claims from employees.

Elements

Some key elements of the Display Screen Equipment Regulations are:

Employers must conduct DSE workstation assessments. These are risk assessments where employers assess the whole workstation, the job being performed, and the requirements of employees. Employers must also conduct display screen equipment assessments when a new workstation is set up, a new user starts work, or a user complains of pain or discomfort.
Employees have a right to receive and take adequate breaks from looking at display screens to reduce the chances of fatigue, pain in necks, shoulders, backs, arms, wrists, and hands, and eye strain.
Employees have a right to a yearly eye test. The cost must be met by the employer.
Employees who use display screens must receive adequate health and safety training and information from their employer. For example, employers should show employees how to properly adjust their chairs and desks to achieve comfortable postures. The training should also cover what to do if employees experience any health risks with DSE.