Online DSE Assessments

A DSE assessment should be carried out when an employee becomes a DSE user or when a new workstation is set up. The assessment should also be reviewed when there is a significant change to the workstation, equipment, working environment or working arrangements, or where the employee reports discomfort or other problems that may be related to DSE use. For employees working in more than one location, such as hybrid workers, the different working environments should be considered as part of the assessment process.

DSE assessments are important because they help identify risks associated with an employee’s workstation, equipment, working environment and working practices. Identifying issues allows appropriate action to be taken to reduce the risk of discomfort, musculoskeletal problems and other health issues associated with DSE work. DSE assessments also form an important part of an employer’s compliance with the DSE Regulations.

How should a DSE Assessment be carried out? DSE assessments can be carried out online, face-to-face or virtually with a trained DSE assessor, depending on the employee’s circumstances and the issues identified. A DSE assessment should consider the employee’s workstation, equipment, working environment, working practices and individual needs to identify potential DSE risks. Employees can participate in the process by completing assessment questions and making appropriate adjustments themselves. Where an issue cannot be resolved, it should be referred to a trained DSE assessor for further investigation and appropriate action. DSEasy supports this process by helping employees identify and self-resolve straightforward issues, while allowing trained DSE assessors to focus on the more complex cases that require their expertise.

Online DSE assessments provide a consistent and efficient way to assess employees wherever they work, including office, home, remote and hybrid workers. Employees can complete the assessment at their own workstation, allowing them to identify issues and make practical adjustments while they are actually using their normal working setup. With DSEasy, straightforward issues can be self-resolved as part of the assessment process, while unresolved or more complex issues are referred to a trained DSE assessor. Assessment results and actions are recorded centrally, helping organisations manage DSE risks across their workforce and maintain appropriate records.

Employers are required to assess the risks to employees who are DSE users — those who use display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work. This applies to DSE users whether they work in an office, at home, remotely or through hybrid working arrangements. The assessment should reflect the equipment being used, the employee’s working environment and the way in which they work.

Yes. DSE users can participate in the assessment process and complete a self-assessment of their workstation, provided they have been given appropriate information and training. Self-assessment can help employees identify straightforward DSE issues and make appropriate adjustments to their own workstation. However, completing a self-assessment does not remove the employer’s responsibility for managing DSE risks. Assessment results should be appropriately reviewed, and issues that cannot be resolved by the employee should be referred to a trained DSE assessor. With DSEasy, the two-prompt system helps employees self-resolve straightforward issues, allowing trained DSE assessors to concentrate on the more complex cases that require their expertise.

A DSE assessor needs sufficient knowledge and training to identify DSE hazards, assess the risks and determine appropriate action where problems are identified. They should be able to recognise problems with workstation setup, equipment, posture, working practices and the working environment, and understand how these may affect the individual DSE user. Importantly, a DSE assessor should also recognise the limits of their own knowledge and know when further specialist advice or expertise is required.

Where a DSE assessment identifies a risk, appropriate action should be taken to put it right as soon as possible or as soon as reasonably practicable. Identified risks should not simply be recorded and left unresolved. Where an issue cannot be resolved by the employee, it should be referred to a trained DSE assessor for further investigation and appropriate action. Actions taken should be recorded and followed through to ensure the identified risk has been appropriately resolved.