The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992

[ch 4: page 41]

The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (DSE Regulations) lay down minimum health and safety requirements for work with visual display units (VDUs) or display screen equipment (DSE).

HSE guidance to the regulations sets out that one of the three main risks to health from DSE work is work-related upper limb disorders, or repetitive strain injury (RSI), which cause pain in the hands, wrists, shoulders, the neck and the back.

Regulation 4 of the DSE Regulations says the work of DSE users must be planned so that there are periodic breaks or changes of activity to reduce workload at the DSE. HSE guidance to the regulations gives the following advice on breaks:

• breaks should be taken before the onset of fatigue;

• breaks or changes of activity should be included in working time;

• short frequent breaks are more satisfactory than occasional longer breaks. For example, a five to 10-minute break after 50-60 minutes’ continuous work is likely to be better than a 15-minute-break every two hours.

The regulations also lay down minimum standards for DSE workstations, including the display screen, the keyboard, the work desk or surface and the work chair.