DSE Regulations and Life - Matt Birtles

HSL: HSE’s Health and Safety Laboratory © Crown Copyright, HSL 2016 HSL: HSE’s Health and Safety Laboratory © Crown Copyright, HSL 2016

Matt Birtles

DSE Regs and life

HSL: HSE’s Health and Safety Laboratory © Crown Copyright, HSL 2016

DSE Regulations implement “VDU Directive” 90/270/EEC (1990)

Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment)

Regulations 1992 (L26)

The Regulations


The argument against.

� DSE Directive is predicated on fixed workstations

� Directive is now obsolete as DSE use today bears

little or no resemblance to 1990 when the

Directive was adopted


The health warning.

� I have no answers

� But I do have some graphs


investment

financial

morallegal

Why bother?


Why bother?

It’s good for you


Why bother?: Our users get smarter

HSE RR628 Gervais, R.


Why bother?: Payback!

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To what extent have benefits been observed as a direct result of implementing DSE improvements in the workplace?



Why do we bother?



investment

financial

morallegal

Why do we bother?


Regulation 1: Interpretation and application

Regulation 2: Analysis of workstations to assess and

reduce risks

Regulation 3: Requirements for workstations

Regulation 4: Daily work routine of users

Regulation 5: Eyes and eyesight

Regulation 6: Provision of training

Regulation 7: Provision of information

Regulation 8: Exemption certificates

Regulation 9: Extension outside GB

The Regulations



The Regulations



The Regulations

Is this a workstation ?

Is this a DSE “user” ?

Does this require a risk assessment ?

Will it require risk management?


Reg 1(2)(e) defines workstations as an assembly comprising:

i. DSE (whether provided with software determining the interface, a keyboard of any other input device)

ii. any optional accessories to the DSEiii. any disk drive, phone, modem, printer, work chair, desk, work surface

or other item peripheral to the DSE, andiv. the immediate work environment……

The Regulations: Is this a workstation?

“a workstation exists wherever there is a DSE……”


Is this a workstation (or a café, or a train or your car)?

The Regulations: Is this a workstation?


Reg 1(2)(c): they habitually use display screen equipment as

a significant part of their normal work”

A person is a user if:

Reg 1(4)(d): they use portable DSE for “prolonged use”

The Regulations: Is this a user?


How long is prolonged?

• normally use DSE for continuous or near-

continuous spells of an hour or more at a

time; and

• use DSE in this way more or less daily;

DSE use is more or less continuous on most days:”“




• normally use DSE for continuous or near-

continuous spells of an hour or more at a

time;

Vs

5-10 minute break after 50-60

minutes

DSE use is more or less continuous on most days:”“



• Less than one hour – mobile working postures

more awkward?

• Research: Pain differentiation at 15min

Traci Galinsky, Naomi Swanson,Steven Sauter, Robin Dunkin, Joseph Hurrell,1 and Lawrence Schleifer, (2007)

Balci R, Aghazadeh F. (2003)

Prevent pain from computer use – Harvard Health Letter

http://www.health.harvard.edu/ pain/prevent-pain-from-computer-use




Based on the likelihood of

employees experiencing

musculoskeletal problems, visual

fatigue and stress…..

Due to the frequency, duration,

intensity and pace of spells of

continuous use of DSE.

”“

The Regulations



The Regulations

• Adequate lighting

• Adequate contrast, no glare or distracting reflections

• Distracting noise minimised

• Leg room and clearances to allow postural changes

• Window covering if needed to minimise glare

• Software: appropriate to task

• Screen: stable image, adjustable, readable,

glare/reflection-free

• Keyboard: usable, adjustable, detachable, legible

• Work surface: with space for flexible arrangement

of equipment and documents; glare-free

• Chair: stable and adjustable

• Footrest if user needs one



The Regulations

the minimum requirements apply only in so far as:

(a) the components concerned are present at the workstation.

…..this should not be interpreted as a requirement that all

workstations should have one, unless risk assessment suggests the

item is necessary;

(b) if [the components] would secure the health, safety or welfare

of people at work.

(c) if doing so would mean the task for which the workstation is

used could not be carried out successfully.

Para 55: “It is not a requirement to comply with all the detailed requirements”


The Regulations



RegulationsFit for Purpose?


The Regulations




The Regulations



However……


The [future of] L26

L26 – 3rd edition

Work has started on revising the guidance provided in L26

Key aims are to:• Simplify the guidance

• Clarify to duty holders what they are legally required to do

• Remove out-of-date guidance to reduce the length of the document

• Add guidance on ergonomics for new technology and ways of working

• mobile DSE

• agile working

• Restructure the document to make it more accessible and easier to navigate


The [future of] L26

L26 – 3rd edition


Key issues are:• Clarify definitions of a ‘user’ and ‘operator’

• Changes in technology – risks associated with new technology

• Checking the evidence base on risk factors

• Health effects of DSE work, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation

• Making it easier to read/follow

• Updating the images


The [future of] L26

L26 – 3rd edition


Likely features are:

• Priced publication and free to download

• Restructuring of the guidance

• Links to other HSE online guidance

• CK1 DSE Assessment checklist online


matthew.birtles@

hsl.gsi.gov.uk

Thanks

DSE Regulations and Life - Matt Birtles

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