DSE Risk Assessment DSE Risk Assessment Form "*" indicates required fields Your Full Name*Your Email* Company / Organisation*VDU Make and ModelHome or Office* Home Office Percentage of Working Time Spent On This Workstation*Please enter a number from 0 to 100.40% working from home/60% in office (2 assessments needed)Display1. Is the screen display clear, with characters well defined* Yes No 2. is the image stable, with no flickering or instability?* Yes No 3. Is the brightness and contrast easily adjustable by the user?* Yes No 4. Can the screen swivel and tilt?* Yes No 5. Can the screen rest elsewhere other than on the processor?* Yes No 6. Is the screen free from reflection and glare?* Yes No 7. Is there a screen cleaning kit readily available?* Yes No 8. Is the screen’s specification suitable for its intended use?* Yes No Keyboard1. Can the angle of the keyboard be adjusted; is it separate from the screen?* Yes No 2. Is there adequate space in front of the keyboard to rest hands?* Yes No 3. Is there a matt surface to avoid glare?* Yes No 4. Is the layout and contour of keys on the keyboard comfortable to use?* Yes No 5. Are the symbols on the keys easy to read?* Yes No 6. For lap-top users is a docking station with separate keyboard provided?* Yes No Mouse, Trackball etc1. Is the mouse or trackball suitable for the tasks it is used for?* Yes No 2. Is there support for the user’s wrist and forearm* Yes No 3. Does the device work smoothly at a speed that suits the user?* Yes No Software1. Is the software suitable for the task?* Yes No 2. Is specialist software required (for example, voice activated equipment)?* Yes No Furniture1. Is the work surface large enough to allow flexible arrangement of screen keyboard, documents etc.?* Yes No 2. Are surfaces free from glare and reflectance?* Yes No 3. Is there a need for a document holder?* Yes No 4. Is there adequate space for users to find a comfortable position (for example, are there obstructions, is there adequate leg room)?* Yes No 5a. Does the chair have: Seat back height and tilt adjustment?* Yes No 5b. Does the chair have: Seat height adjustment?* Yes No 5c. Does the chair have: Swivel mechanism?* Yes No 5d. Does the chair have: Castors or glides?* Yes No 6. Does the chair afford good posture?* Yes No 7. Is the chair adjusted correctly while in use?* Yes No Environment1. Is there sufficient room for the user to change position?* Yes No 2. Is there lighting suitable for the mix of work?* Yes No 3. Is glare a problem?* Yes No 4. Is there adequate contrast between screen and background?* Yes No 5. Are there adjustable window coverings?* Yes No 6. Does the air temperature feel comfortable?* Yes No 7. Are levels of heat comfortable?* Yes No 8. Are levels of noise acceptable?* Yes No Eyesight1. Has the user been informed about the availability of eye screening and eyesight tests?* Yes No 2. Has a relevant eye test (for example eye screening or optician’s examination) been carried out?* Yes No Other Considerations1. Does the user take regular breaks?* Yes No 2. Does the user have personal choice about when to take breaks?* Yes No 3. Has the user received any information about working with DSE?* Yes No Overall Use of Work Station and Working Environment1. Is the workstation generally satisfactory?* Yes No 2. Detail below any particular difficulties or discomforts (such as distracting background, trailing electrical leads).3. Describe any particular health complaints which may be affecting the user.Initial Standard Advice(Initial standard advice will appear below as you fill out the form. Specific follow up advice will be provided once your questionnaire has been evaluated by the manual handling assessor.)Display Advice Make sure the screen is clean. Check that background text and colours work well together. Software settings can be adjusted accordingly. Darker backgrounds and lighter text will reduce flicker and glare. Adjust the brightness and contrast controls on the screen to suit lighting conditions in the room. Character sizes can be changed choose text that is large enough to read easily on screen. You can often zoom in to make areas of the screen larger and easier to read. Your eyes should be the same height as the top of the screen. If you have reflection on your screen, you may need to consider moving your screen location or as a last result an anti-glare filter If your screen flickers, is not bright enough or the picture is not sharp ask your manager to consider replacing it.Keyboard A space in front of the keyboard can help you rest your hands and wrists when not keying. Try to keep wrists straight when keying. It may encourage good keyboard technique to place the keyboard flat to avoid excessive bending of the wrists. Good keyboard technique is important – you can do this by keeping a soft touch on the keys and not overstretching the fingers. Try pushing the display screen further back to create more room for the keyboard, hands and wrists if this is needed. Avoid hitting the keys too hard. Avoid overstretching the fingers.Mouse If the mouse or device you have is not suitable, try a different device; there are a variety of shapes and sizes available. Most devices are best placed as close as possible, e.g. right beside the keyboard. Make sure you do not overreach. Do not leave your hand on the device when it is not being used and do not grip the device too tightly. Keep a relaxed arm and a straight wrist. Use your whole arm to move the mouse rather than moving it just with the wrist. If you need support this can be gained from the desk surface or the arm of a chair. If not, a separate supporting device may be required. A mouse mat may help if the worksurface does not work well with a mouse. Good Mouse technique: Position the mouse within easy reach, so it can be used with a straight wrist. Sit upright and close to the desk to reduce working with the mouse arm stretched. Move the keyboard out of the way if it is not being used. Support the forearm on the desk, and don’t grip the mouse too tightly. Rest fingers lightly on the buttons and do not press them hard.Software If the software you have been provided is not suitable for the task you are expected to do, you should raise this with your line manager . If you need any specialist software to enable you to access work systems (eg dictation or voice activated software) please speak to your IT provider/department or line manager.Furniture The following may help: Your forearms should be approximately horizontal and the your eyes should be the same height as the top of the screen. Make sure you have enough work space to accommodate all documents or other equipment. A document holder may help avoid awkward neck and eye movements. If necessary arrange the desk and screen to avoid glare, or bright reflections, this is often easiest if the screen is not directly facing windows or bright lights. You may need to consider adjusting curtains or blinds to prevent intrusive light. You should make sure there is space under the desk to move legs. A footrest may be helpful, particularly for smaller users who can not pout their feet flat on the floor. The chair should have a working adjustable seat back, height and tilt adjustment. You should be able to adjust seat height, the chair should swivel and should have castors or gliders to easy movement. You should be able to move your chair close to the desk. You should be able to place your feet flat on the floor. You should have enough space between your knees and the underside of the desk.Environment You should have enough workspace to move and stretch, if not consider reorganising the workspace or office layout. Cables should be kept tidy and not pose a trip hazard. You should be able to control light levels e.g. through adjusting light switches and window blinds. You may need to consider shading or repositioning light sources or providing local lighting e.g. desk lamps. Lots of computer equipment can dry out the air, so you should circulate fresh air if possible. Contact lens wearers may experience discomfort due to dry eyes, if so try to blink more often or use appropriate eye drops. If to hot or cold, can the heating be adjusted or better controlled? More ventilation and air conditioning may be required if there is a large amount of electronic equipment in the room. If noise is an issue consider asking to be moved away from sources of noise, e.g. printers, etc.Eyesight Long spells of display screen work can be visually demanding and lead to: tired eyes, discomfort, temporary short-sightedness & headaches. You can help your eyes by: checking the screen is well positioned and properly adjusted, making sure lighting conditions are suitable, taking regular breaks from screen work. If you normally wear bifocal glasses you may not be able to work comfortably and therefore you should contact your optician for advice. An Eye test can be provided by your employer to ensure you can comfortably see the screen and work effectively without visual fatigue. If the test shows that you need glasses specifically for Display Screen work, your employer should fund a basic pair of frames and lenses for this purpose. Please speak to your line manager for arrangements for your company.CAPTCHA Call Sirius FREE 0800 999 3998 Get a Quote Fill in our quote and training enquiry form and tell us your requirements GET A QUOTE Document Shop
