“workstation” means an assembly comprising of:
(a) display screen equipment, whether or not provided with a keyboard or input device and, or software determining the operator/machine interface;
(b) any optional accessories to the display screen equipment;
(c) any disk drive, telephone, modem, printer, document holder, work chair, work desk, work surface or other item peripheral to the display screen equipment; and
(d) the immediate work environment around the display screen equipment
What do employers have to do to be compliant with the Work with Display Screen Equipment Regulations[1]?
To begin with, employers should…
- Identify all display screen equipment and workstations used at your workplace
- Keep records of display screen equipment and workstations provided by him, or used at his place of work
- Keep records of what measures are taken to safeguard occupational health and safety
- Look at each workstation and assess the health and safety risks to which workers are exposed in consequence of that use, including any possible risks to eyesight, physical problems and problems of mental stress
- Regular updates and reviews to ensure that any assessment or checks remain valid
Then what?
Remedy the problem!
If your assessment shows any health and/or safety risks, take action you need to take action! It is important to take account of the additional and, or combined effects of the risks so found.
Employers are obliged to ensure that all workstations and display screen equipment in use, meet the minimum requirements as laid down in the law. But this is not all!
- Have all workers received clear information about the health and safety aspects of their workstation and display screen equipment?
- Have workers been trained in the safe use of their workstation before they began using it and/or whenever the workstation setup was substantially changed?
- Have workers and Health & Safety Representatives been informed about all health and safety measures taken?
What else does the law regulate?
- Are the characters on the screen clear, well-defined, and properly spaced for easy readability?
- Can the brightness and contrast of the screen be easily adjusted to suit different ambient lighting conditions?
- Is the keyboard tiltable and separate from the screen to allow flexible positioning?
- Is the keyboard layout designed to support comfortable and efficient use, minimizing strain?
- Is the work desk or surface large enough to accommodate all necessary equipment?
- Are document holders stable and adjustable to suit different users?
- Is the software being used suitable for the tasks it is intended to support?
- Are workers fully informed about any monitoring features—ensuring there is no hidden surveillance?
- Are eye and eyesight tests provided to workers?
… and so many more …
Bottom line? If your workplace includes employees working with a screen, the setup isn’t just about productivity—it’s about health and safety.
Remember, it is the employer that must prove that it was not reasonably practicable to do more than what was done, so best to get compliant!
[1] SL 646.07.
