Display Screen Equipment Risk Assessment Template for England and Wales

A Display Screen Equipment Risk Assessment is a legal requirement for any workplace in England and Wales where employees regularly use computers, tablets, or other display screens. This systematic evaluation helps you identify potential health risks and implement necessary controls to protect your workforce from conditions like repetitive strain injury, eye strain, and back problems.

When do you need this document?

You must conduct a DSE risk assessment whenever an employee uses display screen equipment for one hour or more at a time on a regular basis. This includes office workers using desktop computers, laptop users working from home, graphic designers using specialized monitors, and call center operators using multiple screens. The assessment is required before new employees start DSE work, when workstations change significantly, or when health problems arise that may be related to DSE use. You should also review assessments annually or when circumstances change, such as new equipment installation or office relocations.

Key legal considerations

Your assessment must systematically evaluate the entire workstation setup, including the display screen position, keyboard and mouse placement, seating arrangements, lighting conditions, and available workspace. You need to identify specific risks such as poor posture leading to musculoskeletal disorders, inadequate lighting causing eye strain, or repetitive movements resulting in upper limb disorders. The assessment should include input from the employee using the workstation, as their experience and any discomfort they're experiencing provides crucial information. You must document all identified risks and implement appropriate control measures, which might include adjusting equipment, providing ergonomic accessories, or arranging eye tests for employees.

Legal requirements in England and Wales

Under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, as amended in 2002, employers have specific duties regarding DSE assessments. You must ensure assessments are conducted by competent persons who understand ergonomic principles and can identify workplace risks. The regulations require you to provide adequate training to employees on proper DSE use and to arrange appropriate eye and eyesight tests for DSE users upon request. Your assessment must comply with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which establish general risk assessment principles, and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which places overall duties on employers to ensure employee welfare. The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 also apply, particularly regarding environmental factors like lighting, temperature, and workspace dimensions that directly impact DSE use safety.