Comply with display screen equipment regulations

How to meet your legal duties under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992. Covers workstation assessments, eye tests, breaks, and home working requirements for employers.

UK-wide
Guide summary

You must check your employees' computer workstations if they use screens for an hour or more daily. This includes home workers. You must provide equipment to fix problems, offer free eye tests, and plan regular breaks. These rules help prevent aches, eye strain, and tiredness.

  • Assess workstations for staff using screens over 1 hour daily
  • Provide free eye tests for screen users who ask for one
  • Plan 5-10 minute screen breaks every hour
  • Pay for basic glasses if needed for screen work
  • Check home workers' setups using a self-assessment form
  • Provide equipment like footrests or monitor risers
  • Train staff on how to adjust their workstation
  • Reassess when staff move desks or report problems
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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.

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:

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:

How to conduct a DSE assessment

  1. 1

    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.

  2. 2

    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.

  3. 3

    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.

  4. 4

    Implement adjustments

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

  5. 5

    Provide training

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

  6. 6

    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:

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:

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:

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).