The RCT Source

Providing you are classified as a ‘user’ of display screen equipment, the Council will reimburse you up to the maximum amount specified in its Scheme HS11A for:

• your first eye and eyesight test as a Council employee and ‘user’, and for subsequent tests at two year intervals (unless otherwise directed by the optician);
• any spectacles prescribed specifically for working with display screen equipment.

Should your eye and eyesight test, and/or any spectacles prescribed specifically for working with display screen equipment, cost more than the maximum amount specified in Scheme HS11A, then you will have to pay the difference yourself.

Yes.

The DSE Regulations will apply to laptops and other portable DSE if they are in prolonged use, which can be considered as the level of use necessary for people to be classified as ‘users’, i.e. if they:

• normally use DSE for continuous or near continuous spells of an hour or more at a time; and
• use DSE in this way more or less daily; and
• have to transfer information quickly to or from the DSE;
• and also need to apply high levels of attention and concentration; or are highly dependent on DSE or have little choice about using it; or need special training or skills to use the DSE.

Where laptops etc. are in prolonged use in the user’s main place of work, consideration should be given to providing docking stations to reduce the risks particular to such DSE, such as the lack of separation between screen and keyboard, which can result in postural problems.

Where laptops are in prolonged use other than a user’s main place of work, such as if the person travels around, then consideration should be given to providing them with sufficient training and information to enable them to set up and use the equipment in each location and to take measures to control risks – in effect, to re-do a risk assessment whenever and wherever they set up their laptop or similar.   

The main problems are:

• musculoskeletal disorders (e.g. back pain and disorders of the upper limbs, i.e. arm, hand, shoulder and neck, such as soreness in the limb or carpal tunnel syndrome);
• visual fatigue (e.g. blurred vision, red or sore eyes and headaches);
• fatigue and stress.

Undertake a DSE workstation assessment and implement measures to reduce any risk identified in the assessment, for example:

• the risk of musculoskeletal disorders can be reduced by correcting poor or badly adjusted seating or awkward positioning of the hands and wrist when using the keyboard and ensuring the workstation has sufficient space;
• the risk of visual fatigue can be reduced by correcting poor positioning of the DSE and avoiding glare and reflections on the screen;
• the risk of fatigue and stress can be reduced by ensuring that people have some control over their workload and work patterns and not expecting that they carry out repetitive and monotonous tasks all the time;
• all the risks associated with working with DSE can be reduced by ensuring that users take regular breaks from DSE work (a short 5 -10 minute break every hour is more beneficial than a 15 - 20 minute break every 2 hours, and if possible breaks should be taken away from the workstation and allow the user to stand up, move about and change posture).  A break from DSE work does not necessarily mean a break from work, but can mean a change in activity, such as photocopying, filing etc.     

The Council does not have to provide you with a DSE workstation if you work from home, but:

• if any DSE equipment is provided by the Council it must comply with the DSE Regulations;
• a DSE workstation assessment of your workstation must be carried out;
• you must be provided with information and training on DSE use and on the procedures to be followed for reporting any defects or health problems.

Firstly, assess the workstation to see if any obvious problem can be identified and, if so, implement corrective action to address the problem.

If there is no obvious problem with the person’s workstation, or if the person’s health problem does not improve after any corrective action has been implemented, then the person should be referred to the Council’s Occupational Health and Wellbeing Unit (OHWU) for further assessment.

If the OHWU determines that a more detailed/specialised ‘ergonomic’ assessment is necessary then, depending on the resources available, this ergonomic assessment may be carried out in-house, for example by a suitably competent OHWU physiotherapist or, alternatively, specialist consultants may need to be employed.

DSE users should be provided with information and training on such issues as:

• risks from DSE use and measures to reduce risk, such as adopting good posture;
• how to adjust equipment and furniture;
• arranging and organising space and workstation components in order to work comfortably;
• avoiding glare and reflection;
• breaks and changes of activity;
• how to report problems;
• contributing to risk assessments;
• eye and eyesight tests.

A DSE workstation assessment needs to consider the following factors:

• the display screen itself (i.e. the computer screen);
• the keyboard;
• the work desk;
• the work chair;
• the environment (e.g. space, lighting);
• the mouse;
• the individual’s health;
• training, information and work planning.

There is a ‘DSE User and Workstation Assessment Checklists’ document under Additional Resources to assist managers in carrying out DSE workstation assessments.    

DSE workstation assessments should be reviewed if:

• the user complains of health problems that could be related to DSE use;
• the workstation is to be used by a different person;
• there are changes in the person’s capabilities;
• there has been a significant change to the workstation (e.g. its software, equipment, furniture, location, environment – such as lighting – or the amount of time spent using the DSE or the task requirements – such as greater speed or accuracy).