Display Screen Equipment (DSE) - Assessment and Action Richard Fontana Principal Officer - Food & Safety Environmental Health & Consumer Protection Division Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council

Format Duty to undertake a risk assessment Risk Assessment – What is suitable and sufficient ? Important Factors to Consider Further Guidance and Assistance

Overview of Regulations Management of Health and Safety at Work Regs 1999 Reg 3 – Undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of risks to employees and others Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regs 1992 Reg 2: Analysis of workstations - Reduce both safety AND health risks (referred to in appendix 2) - Suitable and Sufficient - Review when no longer valid or significant change Reg 3: Workstation minimum requirements - Refer to Schedule to Reg 3, and Appendix 1, DSE Regs Reg 4: Daily routine of users - Adequate breaks or changes of activity

Risk Assessment Suitable and Sufficient? Consider both safety and health risks, in particular: - Musculoskeletal disorders - Stress - Fatigue - Eye and eyesight effects - Hearing effects - Respiratory/vocal effects Total cases - caused or made worse by work MSD1, Stress Related Illness Breathing or lung problem Hearing problems Circulatory Disease *Self-reported work related illness survey 2001/02 Estimated Prevalence (total number of cases), GB

Risk Assessment Systematic Six core elements of a successful management programme. 1. Senior management commitment 2. Employee involvement 3. Identification of problem jobs 4. Development of solutions (control measures) 5. Training and education 6. Appropriate medical management Appropriate Comprehensive - workstation analysis results (equipment, furniture, software, environment) - organisational and individual factors (workloads/working patterns, provision of breaks, meeting requirements of individual needs)

Risk Assessment Assessment Format Recorded Readily accessible Essential includes information provided by users Include ergonomic checklist? (e.g. Appendix 5 of Working with DSE Guidance) Can be generic for certain aspects of analysis e.g. types of equipment, similar tasks being performed BUT Must retain flexibility to take into account individual risks e.g.comfort, individual capabilities, health issues, hot desking, changes in workload or type of work etc

Risk Assessment Review Significant change in workforce or individual capability Major change in software Major change in equipment Major change in workstation furniture Major change in task requirements Relocation or reorganisation of workstation Major changes to work environment Accident or incidents of ill health

Important Factors to Consider and Possible Action Workstation Analysis + Requirements - Refer to Schedule to Reg 3, and Appendix 1, DSE Regs - Use VDU Workstation checklist – Appendix 5, DSE Regs - Key is adjustability of workstation - Take into account ALL operators who may use workstation - Desk space adequate - Storage space adequate – Work and Personal items - Systems for repair/maintenance - Specialist equipment allowance - Take into account hot desking Examples of Further Control Measures - Sufficient stock of replacement items. - Hold a range of different keyboards, chairs and mice to suit operator - Provide sufficient lockable secure personal storage facilities. - DSE Checklist for operators on logging onto computer

LA H&S Safety Enforcement

Drivers for H&S Enforcement Important Factors to Consider and Possible Action Environment -Space – Reg 10, Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regs cubic metres per person minimum. -Consider changes in occupancy -Layout -Lighting/Heating/Ventilation/Humidity -Noise -Cleanliness -Provision of rest room facilities Examples of Further Control Measures -Procedure in place for reporting unacceptable environmental conditions -Consult staff on lighting levels, layout to prevent glare, local lighting -Plenty of drinking water points available and encourage use -Disinfectant wipes available for hygiene -Acoustic screening

LA H&S Safety Enforcement Drivers for H&S Enforcement Important Factors to Consider and Possible Action Job Design Work related stress – Culture, demands, communication, role, support Breaks and changes of activity Planning activities Level of control over activities Suitability of staff to their role Training and professional development Managing sickness absence Flexibility with personal demands Examples of Further Control Measures Clear transparent policy on call monitoring – consult staff Flexibility for staff for following script or allowing personal control over what is said based on experience etc. Adequate time allowance between calls Employee Assistance programmes for reducing stress

LA H&S Safety Enforcement Drivers for H&S Enforcement Important Factors to Consider and Possible Action Specific Health Issues Hearing - Acoustic protection/noise absorbers -Microphone positioning, Headsets – limiters, types, hygiene Voice -Breaks, duration -Drinks -Colds – change job role Eyes -Screen - glare, cleanliness, location -Breaks, duration -Eye tests Musculoskeletal Disorders -Workstation analysis requirements Examples of Further Control Measures Periodic on screen prompts to change posture, stretch, look away from screen

Choice of DSE Guidance Aimed at large Practical guidance employers, H&S with minimum of professionals.technical detail. Includes technical, legal detail.

LA H&S Safety Enforcement Drivers for H&S Enforcement Choice of DSE Guidance Working with VDU’s Free HSE leaflet covers basic information on working with VDU Advice regarding call centre working practices Free Guidance Local Authority Circular Number: 94/1 rev HSE Website HSE Website Order copies of the guidance HSE books Order copies of the guidance HSE books NCCP library NCCP library

LA H&S Safety Enforcement Drivers for H&S Enforcement Any Questions?