Display Screen Equipment Safety
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) guidance covers PCs, laptops, tablets and smartphones. Health and Safety DSE Regulations apply to anyone who uses DSE daily, for an hour or more at a time. By law employers must do a DSE workstation assessment and work to reduce risks of injury for their employees.
Reducing Risks
Using any one set of muscles continuously for a long period of time will at best lead to muscular discomfort and at worst may lead to painful joints or even upper limb disorders.
There are some simple steps you can take to reduce the risks from display screen work:
- Avoid awkward, static postures by regularly changing position.
- Get up and move around regularly.
- Avoid eye strain by changing focus from time to time.
- Have your eyes tested regularly, and at least once every two years. Your employer will provide this for you free of charge.
- Do some simple hand and wrist exercises to relieve any discomfort.
Take Regular Breaks
A simple precaution to prevent problems from occurring in the first place is to ensure that you plan regular changes of activity and take regular breaks from repetitive working.
Taking regular breaks from work is crucial in helping manage work related stress and fatigue. Research shows that taking breaks make people more productive and is essential for physical and mental wellbeing.
Where possible, take your break outside and get some fresh air. Being in nature is calming and great for wellbeing. If you can’t get outside, then at least move away from your desk area.
Simple Yoga Stretches
If you are feeling stiff or tense, then some simple yoga stretches could really help. Exercise can be particularly beneficial for those working in sedentary, deskbound roles.
- Yoga helps to manage stress and anxiety
- Releases physical tension, brought on by office work
- Improves posture
- Increases productivity
- Increases energy
