Desk Risk Assessment Template for England and Wales

A desk risk assessment is your systematic approach to evaluating workplace safety at desk-based workstations. This essential document helps you identify potential hazards, assess risks, and implement appropriate control measures to protect employees from workplace injuries, particularly musculoskeletal disorders that commonly affect office workers.

When do you need this document?

You need to conduct desk risk assessments whenever you set up new workstations, make significant changes to existing desk configurations, or relocate employees to different work areas. Regular reviews are also required as part of your ongoing health and safety compliance program. This assessment becomes particularly crucial when employees report discomfort, pain, or other health issues related to their workstation setup. Additionally, you should complete assessments following workplace accidents or incidents involving desk-based workers, and when introducing new equipment or technology that affects the workstation environment.

Key legal considerations

Your desk risk assessment must thoroughly evaluate workstation configuration including screen positioning, keyboard and mouse placement, chair adjustability, and desk height measurements. Environmental factors require careful attention, including lighting levels, glare reduction, noise control, temperature regulation, and adequate ventilation. You must identify all potential hazards such as poor posture risks, repetitive strain injury possibilities, eye strain from improper screen setup, and inadequate workspace organization. The assessment should document existing control measures and recommend additional protective actions where necessary. Employee consultation is essential throughout the process, and you must provide adequate training on proper workstation setup and usage.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, you have a fundamental duty to ensure employee safety and well-being in the workplace. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 require you to conduct suitable and sufficient risk assessments, implement preventive measures, and regularly review your safety procedures. Specific to desk-based work, the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 mandate comprehensive DSE workstation assessments for employees who regularly use computer screens. These regulations require you to provide mandatory work breaks, offer eye tests, and ensure workstations meet ergonomic standards. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 set additional standards for work environment conditions including adequate lighting, temperature control, and workspace layout that directly impact desk-based workers.