A display screen 'user' is someone who habitually uses display
screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work.
The regulations apply in full to all display screen users who
are required to work at their own employers workstation, at a
workstation at home, or at another employers workstation.
They apply to any kind of screen that shows text, numbers, or
graphics, but not those that mainly show TV, video or film.
Inside the VDU
Most display screens work on the same principles as an ordinary television set. Rapidly
changing voltages pull a beam of electrons backwards and forwards across the glass screen.
The screen is covered with dots of phosphor which glow when hit by
the fast moving electrons.
Thousands of dots of phosphor are turned on and off to make a full screen image. The
entire screen is updated about fifty times a second, or more often for so-called `flicker free'
screens.
Levels of electromagnetic radiation from display screens are very
low, and no special measures are needed to protect users' health.
Health Effects
Adverse health conditions attributed to DSE work often reflect bodily fatigue.
Prolonged static posture of the back, neck and head are known to cause musculo-skeletal
problems.
They can be prevented by designing work-stations and tasks to the needs of the user,
rather than the other way round.
Proper training, consultation and involvement of users can help reduce the risk of
physical fatigue and stress.
Radiation
Display screen equipment is NOT radioactive.
Display screen equipment gives out ions, but NO microwaves or X-rays.
Display screen equipment gives out extremely small quantities of infra-red, ultra-violet,
radio waves and ionising radiation.
There is no need for users to be given protective devices such as anti-radiation screens.
Workstation requirements
The Schedule to the Regulations sets out minimum requirements
for display screen workstations covering the equipment, the
environment and the software.
Although some of the requirements may be inappropriate in some
circumstances, they are likely to be fully applicable in
typical office situations.
Requirements include:
stable, well-defined screen image.
Adequate lighting, with no glare or reflections.
An adjustable and stable chair.
Space to allow for changes in posture.
A detachable, adjustable and legible keyboard.
Space in front of the keyboard to support hands/wrists.
A spacious, glare-free work surface.
Breaks
Display screen work should be periodically interrupted by breaks or changes of activity.
These may just be a change to another type of work, but should be away from the display
screen.
No exact times are specified, but frequent short breaks are better than occasional long
breaks.
Ideally, the user should have the freedom to take a break BEFORE the onset of fatigue.
Eye Tests
Employers must provide a full sight test for any user who asks for one.
Employers must provide a sight test for any employee who is about to become a user who
asks for one.
Employers must pay for the sight test and for any spectacles which are prescribed to
correct vision defects specifically for display screen work.
Information and Training
Users must be provided with health and safety information about their workstations.
Users must be provided with adequate health and safety training about the use of their
workstations.
Basic training should cover the following areas:
How to recognise hazards.
How problems are caused.
How to avoid problems.
How to report problems.
Some of the regulations.
How to contribute to assessments.
Assessment
Workstations must be analysed and risks assessed.
Workstations should be re-assessed after any significant changes.
The views of individual users should form an essential part of any assessment.
Risks identified in the assessment must be remedied as soon as possible.