If your employees use computers, laptops, tablets, or other display screen equipment as a significant part of their work, you have legal duties under the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations 1992.

Poor workstation setup leads to musculoskeletal problems, eye strain, and fatigue. These issues are largely preventable with proper assessment and adjustment - which is why the law requires employers to take action.

Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992

Overview of the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 covering protection for workers using VDUs.

Statutory instrument: SI 1992/2792
Purpose: Protect workers from health risks associated with display screen equipment use
Key health risks: Musculoskeletal disorders, visual fatigue and eye strain, mental stress
Geographic scope: Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales)

The DSE Regulations require employers to assess workstations, provide equipment meeting minimum requirements, plan work to include breaks, offer eye tests on request, and provide training. The regulations apply to all workers who use DSE daily for continuous periods of an hour or more.

Who is a DSE user?

Not everyone who occasionally uses a computer is covered by these regulations. The law focuses on workers who use DSE regularly as a significant part of their normal work:

DSE User Definition

Criteria for determining who counts as a DSE user under the regulations.

Daily use criterion: Uses DSE daily for continuous periods of an hour or more
Regular use criterion: Regular user of DSE as significant part of normal work

The definition applies to employees at fixed workstations, remote and home workers, mobile workers using laptops/tablets regularly, and hot-desking arrangements. It does not apply to infrequent or brief screen use, drivers' cabs or control cabs on vehicles, or portable systems not in prolonged use.

In practice, most office workers are DSE users. So are remote workers, call centre staff, designers, programmers, and anyone else spending significant time at a screen. The test is whether DSE use is a regular and substantial part of their work, not whether they have a specific job title.

Your duties as an employer

The regulations place several specific requirements on employers:

Employer DSE Duties

Employer obligations under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992.

Workstation assessment – Conduct DSE workstation assessment for all users when new workstations are set up, new users start work, workstations change significantly, or users report pain or discomfort.
Reduce identified risks – Implement measures to address risks found in assessment, such as adjusting chair, desk, monitor position, or providing footrests and document holders.
Plan breaks – Plan work so users take regular breaks from DSE work. Short frequent breaks (5-10 mins per hour) are more effective than longer infrequent breaks.
Provide eye tests – Provide eye test on request at employer's expense. Pay for basic corrective appliances if needed specifically for DSE work.
Training and information – Provide training on DSE risks, how to adjust workstation, importance of breaks, how to request eye test, and reporting problems.

How to conduct a DSE assessment

Identify all DSE users

Review your workforce to identify who uses DSE for continuous periods of an hour or more daily. Include home workers and hybrid workers - the same requirements apply.
Provide self-assessment tools

Many employers use online DSE assessment questionnaires. HSE provides a free workstation checklist. Workers complete this to identify issues with their setup.
Review completed assessments

Check for common problems: screens too high or low, chairs not adjusted properly, glare on screens, cramped working space. Flag issues that need action.
Implement adjustments

Provide equipment where needed: monitor risers, footrests, document holders, adjustable chairs. Often simple adjustments resolve issues without new equipment.
Provide training

Ensure users know how to adjust their workstation and recognise symptoms of poor setup. Brief training prevents most problems.
Review regularly

Reassess when workers move desks, get new equipment, report symptoms, or when circumstances change significantly.

Workstation minimum requirements

The regulations specify minimum standards for DSE workstations:

DSE Workstation Minimum Requirements

Schedule requirements for display screen equipment workstations.

Display screen: Stable image, no flicker, adjustable brightness and contrast, screen should tilt and swivel
Keyboard: Separate from screen (except laptops in short-term use), tilting with space for resting hands, matt surface
Work desk: Sufficiently large for flexible arrangement, low reflectance surface, document holder if needed
Work chair: Stable, adjustable height, adjustable back rest (height and tilt), footrest available if needed
Environment: Adequate lighting, no direct glare or reflections on screen, comfortable temperature and humidity, low noise

Getting the basics right:

Screen should be at arm's length, with top of screen at or just below eye level
Chair height should allow feet flat on floor (or on footrest) with thighs horizontal
Keyboard and mouse should be at elbow height with wrists straight
Document holder should be at same height and distance as screen if copy-typing
Adequate lighting without glare or reflections on screen

Eye tests and glasses

DSE users have a specific entitlement to eye care:

DSE Eye Test Entitlement

Employee entitlement to eye tests and corrective appliances for DSE work.

Entitlement: All DSE users entitled to request eye test at employer's expense
Corrective appliances: Employer pays for basic corrective appliances if needed specifically for DSE work
Timing: On request by employee, before starting DSE work, and at regular intervals thereafter

Employers are not required to pay for spectacles that correct defects other than those needed for DSE work. If an employee needs glasses for general use but not specifically for DSE work, the employer is not required to pay for them.

You must pay for eye tests when requested by DSE users. You do not have to pay for designer frames or varifocals unless specifically prescribed for DSE work - basic glasses that correct the specific working distance are sufficient.

Many employers use voucher schemes with high street opticians. This is an acceptable way to meet your duties.

Breaks from screen work

The regulations require you to plan work so that DSE use is periodically interrupted:

DSE Work Breaks Guidance

HSE guidance on breaks and activity changes for DSE users.

Frequency: Short frequent breaks more effective than longer infrequent breaks
Recommended pattern: 5-10 minute break every hour of continuous DSE work
Activity change: Breaks should ideally involve different activity (away from screen)
Employer duty: Plan work so DSE users can take adequate breaks

Breaks can be taken as part of normal work routine rather than as additional rest breaks. The key is to avoid prolonged periods of continuous DSE work. Users should be encouraged to change posture, stretch, and look away from the screen regularly.

Home workers and hybrid working

The DSE Regulations apply equally to home workers who use DSE as a significant part of their work. You must:

Assess their home workstation (self-assessment questionnaires are acceptable)
Provide equipment if needed - or contribute to reasonable costs
Provide the same eye test entitlement
Ensure they understand break requirements

You do not need to replicate the full office setup, but the home workstation must meet the minimum requirements. Many employers provide a budget for home working equipment.

Common questions

Do laptops count as DSE? Yes, if used regularly for prolonged periods. For prolonged laptop use, provide a separate keyboard and mouse, and a laptop stand or external monitor.

What about tablets and smartphones? The regulations focus on workstations. Tablets used at a workstation for prolonged periods are covered. Brief mobile use is generally not covered.

Can employees refuse assessments? You should encourage participation but cannot force employees to complete assessments. Document that you offered and keep records.

How often should assessments be reviewed? There is no fixed interval, but good practice is every 2-3 years, or when circumstances change (new equipment, desk move, symptoms reported).

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Comply with display screen equipment regulations

Who is a DSE user?

Your duties as an employer

How to conduct a DSE assessment

Identify all DSE users

Provide self-assessment tools

Review completed assessments

Implement adjustments

Provide training

Review regularly

Workstation minimum requirements

Eye tests and glasses

Breaks from screen work

Home workers and hybrid working

Common questions

Compliance Assistant

🧪 Business Context Testing

◉ Content Graph

Who is a DSE user?

Your duties as an employer

How to conduct a DSE assessment

Identify all DSE users

Provide self-assessment tools

Review completed assessments

Implement adjustments

Provide training

Review regularly

Workstation minimum requirements

Eye tests and glasses

Breaks from screen work

Home workers and hybrid working

Common questions

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Business Context Testing

Content Graph