Workstation Risk Assessment Template for Ireland

A Workstation Risk Assessment is a systematic evaluation tool that helps you identify potential health and safety risks associated with display screen equipment and workspace design. Under Irish health and safety legislation, you have a legal obligation to assess workstation risks and implement appropriate control measures to protect your employees from work-related injuries and musculoskeletal disorders.

When do you need this document?

You must conduct workstation risk assessments whenever you establish new workstations with display screen equipment, hire new employees who will use computers regularly, or make significant changes to existing workspace layouts. The assessment is also required following employee complaints about workstation discomfort, after workplace incidents involving ergonomic factors, or during routine health and safety reviews. Additionally, you should update assessments when introducing new equipment, relocating workstations, or when employees return from extended leave periods that may affect their workspace needs.

Key legal considerations

Your workstation risk assessment must comprehensively evaluate display screen equipment specifications, including monitor positioning, keyboard and mouse placement, and overall ergonomic setup. The assessment should document environmental factors such as lighting adequacy, noise levels, temperature control, and air quality that may impact employee comfort and productivity. You must identify specific risk factors including repetitive strain injury potential, eye strain risks, and postural problems that could develop from poor workstation design. The document should include clear recommendations for risk mitigation, specify responsibility for implementing improvements, and establish review schedules to ensure ongoing compliance with safety standards.

Legal requirements in Ireland

Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005, you have a general duty to ensure employee safety and health, including conducting appropriate risk assessments for workstation environments. The Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007, specifically Part 2 Chapter 5 covering Display Screen Equipment, mandates detailed workstation assessments for employees who habitually use display screen equipment. These regulations require you to analyze workstations systematically, provide appropriate equipment and furniture, ensure adequate training for equipment use, and arrange regular eye and eyesight tests for affected employees. You must maintain assessment records, implement identified control measures promptly, and review assessments regularly or when circumstances change. The regulations also specify minimum standards for workstation design, environmental conditions, and equipment specifications that must be addressed in your risk assessment process.