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Display Screen Equipment (DSE) User Questions

Work with display screen equipment: Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002. As part of your employment your employer takes your safety and comfort seriously. Display Screen Equipment Assessments and Training are required if you are a regular user of DSE equipment or there is a significant change in your workstation environment.

Consent
You are about to carry out an online DSE workstation assessment. By completing this assessment and training a report will be sent to you and your employer via email. Information provided to this online assessment is not medically confidential If necessary, you may be advised to take a further assessment carried out by occupational health or MSK specialist. You consent for PAM Ergonomics to use this data for promotion of health and wellbeing products and services.

Training Video

Please watch this short training video before moving to the next step.

General Questions

Do you often spend periods of 1+ hours typing on your keyboard(Required)
Are you able to take short breaks away from your DSE? For example, to make a coffee, take lunch or toilet breaks.(Required)

If not, it is recommended that you take regular microbreaks from your workstation to rest your eyes, mind, and body.

Do you get aches, pains or sensory ('tingling' or 'pins & needles') in the neck, back, shoulder or any part of the upper limbs?(Required)

If so, we would recommend a Virtual DSE Assessment with a trained DSE Assessor. Please give breif details:

Do you experience restricted joint movement, impaired finger movement, grip or any other disability?(Required)
Do you suffer with any problems wih your vision? This includes headaches, difficulties focusing, eye discomfort etc.(Required)

Equipment Questions - Keyboards

Is your keyboard seperate from your screen?(Required)

If not, We recommend changing your Keyboard to one that is separate from your screen to allow you to customise your workstation set up.

Does your keyboard tilt?(Required)

If not, We recommend changing your Keyboard to one that includes tilt options to allow you to customise your workstation set up.

Are you able to find a comfortable typing position?(Required)

If not, try pushing the display screen further back to create more room for the keywboard, hands & wrists.

For users of thick, raised keyboards we recommend the use of a Wrist Rest.

Do you feel you have a good keyboard technique?(Required)

If not, training can be used to prevent:

  • Hands bent up at the wrist.
  • Hitting the keys too hard.
  • Overstreching the fingers.
Are the characters on your keyboard clear and legible?(Required)

If not, keyboards should be kept clean. If characters still can't be read, the keyboard may need modifiying or replacing.

Use a keyboard with a matte finish to reduce glare and/or reflection.

Equipment Questions - Mouse / Trackball etc.

Do you feel your device is suitable for the tasks you use it for?(Required)

If you are having issues, try a different device. The Mouse & Trackball are general-purpose devices suitable for many tasks, & available in a variety of shapes & sizes. Alternative devices such as touch screens may be better for some tasks (but can be worse for others).

Are you able to position the device close to you?(Required)

If not, most devices are best placed as close as possble, e.g., right beside the keyboard.

Training may be needed to:

  • Prevent arm overreaching.
  • Encourage users not to leave their hand on the device when it is not being used.
  • Encourage a relaxed arm & straight wrist.
Are your wrist and forearm supported?(Required)

If not, support can be gained from the desk surface, arm of your chair, or a Seperate Supporting Device may help.

You should be able to find a comfortable working position with the device.

Does your device work smoothly, and at a speed that suits you?(Required)

If not, it's good to check if your device requires cleaning and check your surface is suitable.

A Mouse Mat may be required.

Are you able to easily adjust your software settings for the speed and accuracy of your onscreen pointer?(Required)

If not, you can get training on how to adjust device settings.
We also recommend a Mouse Mat for ease of use.

Equipment Questions - Display Screen

Are all characters clear and legible?(Required)

If not;

  • Make sure the screen is clean & cleaning materials are available.
  • Check that the text & background colours work well together.
  • Is the screen at a comfortable viewing distance?
Is the text size comfortable to read?(Required)

If not, software settings may need adjusting to change text size.

Are images stable (i.e. free of flicker and jittering)?(Required)

If not, try using different screen colours to reduce flicker, e.g., darker background & lighter text.

If there are still problems, get the set-up checked, e.g., by IT.

Do you feel your screens specification is suitable for its intended use?(Required)

If not, work requiring fine attention to small details may require large display screens, for example intensive graphic work.

Are you able to adjust the brightness and contrast of your screen?(Required)

If not, please be aware that separate adjustment controls are not essential, provided you can always read
the screen easily.

Do you know where the brightness/contrast controls are located?

Are you able to swivel and tilt your screen?(Required)

If not, please be aware that swivel & tilt may not be built in; you can add this mechanism by using Monitor Arms.

However, you may need to replace the screen if:

  • Swivel/tilt is absent or unsatisfactory
  • Work is intensive; the user has problems getting the screen to a comfortable posititon.
Is your screen free from glare and reflections?(Required)

If not, use a mirror placed in front of the screen to check where reflections are coming from. You might need to move the screen or even the desk &/or shield the screen from the source of the reflections. Screens that use dark characters on a light background are less prone to glare & reflections. We also recommend a Screen Filter which will reduce glare and reflections.

Are any windows coverings provided, adjustable and in adequate condition?(Required)

If not, check that blinds work. Blinds with vertical slats can be more suitable than horizontal ones.

If these measures do not work, We also recommend a Screen Filter which will reduce glare and reflections.

Equipment Questions - Software

Is the software you use suitable for your tasks?(Required)

If not, software could help you carry out a task, minimise stress & be user-friendly.

Check you have appropriate training in using the software.

Software should respond quickly & clearly to user input, with adequate feedback, such as clear help messages.

Equipment Questions - Furniture

Is your work surface large enough for all of your necessary equipment?(Required)

If not, create more room by moving printers, reference materials etc elsewhere.

If necessary, consider providing new power & telecom sockets, so equipment can be moved. There should be some scope for flexible rearrangement.

We would also recommend a Desk with a larger desktop.

Are you able to comfortably reach all equipment you need to use(Required)

If not, rearrange equipment, papers etc to bring frequently used things within easy reach.
A document holder may be needed, positioned to minimise uncomfortable head & eye movements.

Are your surfaces free from glare and reflections?(Required)

If not, we recommend Desk Mats or blotters to reduce reflections & glare.

Do you feel your chair is suitable and stable?(Required)

If not, we recommend repairing or replacing the Chair if you are uncomfortable, or you cannot use the adjustment mechanisms. Does the chair have a 'five-star'- base?

Are you able to adjust your chair to suit your needs?(Required)

If not, you should be able to carry out your work sitting comfortably.

Consider training on how to adopt suitable postures while working. The arms of chairs should not stop you from getting close enough to use equipment comfortably. Move any obstructions from under your desk.

We recommend replacing your Chair should you be unable to adjust to your needs.

Do you know where all the adjustment controls on the chair are located and how to operate them?

Is the small of your back supported by the chair's backrest?(Required)

If not, we recommend replacing your Chair as your back should be supported by the chair, with relaxed shoulders.

Are your forearms horizontal, and your eyes roughly at the same height as the top of your screen?(Required)

If not, adjust the chair height to allow your arms to be positioned in the right position, & then adjust the DSE height, if necessary.
Failing this we recommend a replacement Chair.

Are your feet flat on the floor, without too much pressure from the seat on the backs of your legs?(Required)

If not, we recommend a smaller Chair with with a reduced gas lift, alternatively a Footrest may be needed.

Environmental Questions

Do you have enough room to change position and vary your movement?(Required)

If not, space is needed to move, stretch & fidget.

Consider reorganising the office layout & check for obstructions.

Is the lighting suitable for you to work comfortable? Example, not too bright or too dim?(Required)

If not, you should be able to control light levels, e.g., by adjusting window blinds or light switches. Consider shading or repositioning light sources or providing local lighting, e.g., desk lamps (but make sure lights don’t cause glare by reflecting off walls or other surfaces).

Does the air around you feel comfortable?(Required)

If not, DSE & other equipment may dry the air.

Circulate fresh air if possible. Plants may help.

Is the temperature around you comfortable?(Required)

If not, can heating be better controlled? More ventilation or a fan may be required if there is a lot of electronic equipment in the room. Are you able to be moved away from any heat source?

Are you comfortable with the level of noise?(Required)

If not, consider moving sources of noise, e.g., printers, away from the user

Do you have any trailing cables that could pose a trip hazard?(Required)

If so, We recommend storing wires in a Cable Tray where possible. If not, move wires out the way where you can.

Can you see any noticeable damage to plugs or cables?(Required)

If so, stop using the equipment and report this immediately

Other Questions

Have these questions covered all the problems you feel you experience with your display screen equipment?(Required)
Have you experienced any discomfort or other symptoms which can be attributed to working with display screen equipment?(Required)