DSE stands for Display Screen Equipment. This could refer to any alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of the display process involved - i.e. a computer or a laptop.

DSE legislation refers to a few other definitions that are also worth understanding.

User and Operator

This refers to anyone who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work. The difference between a user and an operator usually comes down to an employed person as a user, rather than self-employed person as an operator.

What defines significant? The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) suggest that anyone that uses DSE daily, for more than an hour is considered a DSE User/Operator.

Workstation

A workstation is made up of:

DSE - i.e. a computer or laptop
Input devices - i.e. keyboard and mouse
Peripheral items - i.e. telephone and paper work
The immediate work environment around the DSE - i.e. temperature, noise and space

Why do I need to know all this?

Sadly, working with DSE poses a number of risks, such as musculoskeletal aches and pains, eye and eyesight issues, fatigue and stress. DSE legislation states that:

Every employer shall perform a suitable and sufficient analysis of workstations
Any assessment made by an employer shall be reviewed if it is suspected to be no longer valid or if there has been a significant change - i.e. new location, job role or new equipment
The employer shall reduce the risks identified in consequence of an assessment to the lowest extent reasonably practicable
Every employer shall ensure that any workstation for DSE use meets the schedule of minimum requirements

By assessing the risks and making reasonable adjustments, we can reduce those risks mentioned above. If you have any questions on how to do this for your employees, please get in touch.