Health and Safety POlicy
9. DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT (DSE)
DSE Risk Assessment
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations
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. 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.
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 H&S Assistant (Joanna Treichel). The form
may be sent to you electronically or as a
hard copy and you MUST complete it when you are asked to do so. Should
you require any help in completing this form please contact the H&S
Assistant.
The DSE/Workstation risk assessment form can be downloaded from
http://www.inf.ed.ac.uk/safety/risk-assessments/index.html
Portable Display Screen Equipment (Laptops and Notebooks)
The Health and Safety (DSE) Regulations
also apply to the use of portable display screen equipment such as
laptop and notebook computers if they are in use for prolonged periods of time.
Where a portable computer is used frequently and/or for extended
periods as a significant part of day-to-day work it is subject to the
DSE risk assessment process. It is important that suitable ergonomic
arrangements for the use of portable equipment are made to prevent any
posture related problems. Please refer to
Guidelines on the use of portable display screen equipment (laptops and notebooks) published by the Occupational Health Unit which gives detailed information on this subject.
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 Health and Safety (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 some 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 will later be reimbursed 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.
More information about DSE Eye sight test can be found at:
http://www.docs.csg.ed.ac.uk/Safety/health/DSE_eye_tests.pdf
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.
