Workstation Risk Assessment

 

Why is it Important that Employees’ workstation self assessment are properly Set Up?

 

Posturegroup provides complete information about DSE workstation read to know!

 

Setting up a workstation for DSE display screen equipment is significant because it helps to reduce the health concerns associated with routine DSE use. Musculoskeletal issues, stress, headaches, and eye fatigue are all health dangers. Here you may read more about why and how to correctly set up a DSE workstation.

 

Equipment or gadgets with an alphanumeric or graphic display screen are known as display screen equipment (DSE), and examples include laptops, PCs, cell phones, and tablets. DSE self assessment use on a regular basis can result in a wide range of health issues.

 

These obligations are outlined in the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) assessment form Regulations 1992, which was later, revised in 2002. The regulation includes provisions for health and safety training as well as risk assessment and workstation modification for users.

Correct chair setup is essential for promoting good posture and minimizing musculoskeletal pain. With your feet flat on the ground, you should adjust the height such that your knees are in line with or slightly below your hips. To support their feet properly, some people need a footrest. When you sit up straight, the back of your chair should fully support your back. Additionally, your chair's arms shouldn't get in the way of you getting close to your desk; some people choose a chair without arms to get around this restriction.

The placement of your keyboard and mouse is particularly crucial because many DSE health issues affect the shoulders and arms. Your keyboard, screen, and mouse must all be positioned in front of you, with your mouse being placed to one side of your keyboard. As you type, your elbows should be hanging at your sides and your forearms should be horizontal. Your fingers should also be slightly curved and your wrists should remain straight. When typing, you must be careful to avoid overstretching your fingers, hitting the keys too hard, or positioning your arms too low. These are all typical errors that can hasten the emergence of health issues.

 

In order to minimize headaches and tired eyes, your display screen should be properly customised to fit you specifically. Your eyes should be directly above the top of the monitor, which should be at an arm's length away from you. You must be able to see the entire screen from the height without turning or tilting your head. Additionally, your monitor's brightness and contrast settings should be adjusted to fit your surroundings and may need to be changed on a daily basis. Similar to this, you might need to adjust the window blinds or the tilt of your monitor to lessen glare.

Keeping your workstation organised will also help to shield you from the health dangers associated with DSE use. The things you use most frequently should be placed nearest to you, while the things you use less frequently should be kept farther away. Furthermore, a paper holder ought to be set next to your monitor so that your printed documents are positioned there at the same height and distance from you as your screen. By doing this, you can avoid making unnatural eye and neck motions when alternating between the two.

How Does Workstation Set-up Affect Employees?

 

The configuration of a worker's workstation can have a significant impact on the emergence of DSE-related health problems. Musculoskeletal problems are commonly associated with bad posture which can quickly become a bad habit while using DSE. Musculoskeletal pain can be significantly reduced by setting up your chair and workplace correctly, but maintaining proper posture also needs to be a conscious effort. The glare from the screen, sitting too near to the monitor, and improper brightness and contrast setting can all result in headaches and eye fatigue (tired eyes). Inadequate workstation setup can also make employees unhappy and stressed, which negatively affects all facets of their professional lives.

 

Why is Workstation Set-up Important for Employers?

The way your employees' workstations are set up is quite significant because it helps safeguard their health. Employers must remember that, in accordance with the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 and 2002, it is their legal duty to make sure that workstations are properly configured for their DSE users. In addition to merely maintaining legal compliance, a suitable workstation configuration might actually help your company. For instance, a poor workstation setup could cause a worker to experience shoulder pain, which would inevitably lower the quality of their output and possibly lead to more sick days being taken. To the best of your abilities, ensure the health of your employees because it just makes good financial sense. The requirement of display screen equipment training also satisfies another requirement of the DSE regulations by encouraging employees to take ownership of their own health and safety.