Display
Screen Equipment
DSE Risk Assessment
Health and Safety (DSE) Regulations 1992 implement a European directive
on minimum health and safety requirements for work with display screen
equipment, and are for the protection of employees who use display
screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work.
Working with display screen equipment can cause ill health as a result
of poor work organisation, working environment, job design and posture,
and from inappropriate working methods.
The above regulations require individual workstations used by display
screen users to be analysed and any risk to health assessed. Each
individual is responsible for completing their own risk assessment form
and forwarding it to the safety Assistant/Manager. The DSE risk
assessment may be sent to you electronically or as a hard copy and you
MUST complete it when you are asked to do so.
Risk assessments forms are also available
on-line.
Users should be provided with information on the risks from display
screen equipment, the assessment of risks and the measures to reduce
risks, breaks and activity changes, eye sight tests and some initial
training.
Further information and guidance for users experiencing problems
related to the use of Display Screen equipment can be obtained from the
University Occupational Health Unit.
DSE Eye test
University employees (persons who hold a contract of employment with
the University of Edinburgh) who regularly use display screen equipment
(DSE/VDU) are entitled to a vision test and eye examination upon
request.
In order to make an appointment with the University’s Appointed
Optometrist (T J Walls, 35 Forrest Road) contact the Health and Safety
Department on 51 4255 to acquire the necessary authorisation and
paperwork prior to the appointment.
In compliance with the DSE Regulations if the eye test indicates the
need for the corrective spectacles specifically for DSE work, the
School will meet the cost of the standard frames and lenses to a value
of £50. Employees who wish to purchase more expensive frames and
lenses will have to meet the additional cost.
The School will not cover the cost of any corrective spectacles which
are not relevant to DSE work and are used for different purposes.
Employees who wish to go to any other optician must first seek the
approval of the Safety Manager to agree the arrangements for
reimbursement of costs. An employee will be required to pay the
initial costs which are later reimbursable by the School (to the value
of £50) on provision of a receipt clearly stating the employee’s
full name and that the prescribed corrective spectacles are to be used
specifically for work with computer screens. The cost of corrective
glasses prescribed for any other purpose will not be reimbursed by the
School.
More information about DSE Eye sight test can be found at:
http://www.safety.ed.ac.uk/policy/part2/part2.shtm#54sup
Revised June 2009
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