DISPLAY SCREEN EQUIPMENT (DSE): EYES AND EYESIGHT TESTING
DSE work is visually demanding and employers have certain legal responsibilities. Although DSE...
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DSE work is visually demanding and employers have certain legal responsibilities.
Although DSE work does not cause permanent damage to eyes, long spells of DSE work can lead to:
- tired eyes
- discomfort
- temporary short-sightedness
- headaches
The law says employers must arrange an eye test for DSE users if they ask for one and provide glasses if an employee needs them only for DSE use.
This should be a full eye and eyesight test by an optometrist or doctor, including a vision test and an eye examination.
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations apply to workers who use DSE daily, for continuous periods of an hour or more. HSE describe these workers as ‘DSE users’.
In law, employers must:
- do a DSE workstation assessment
- reduce risks, including making sure workers take breaks from DSE work or do something different
- provide an eye test if a worker asks for one
- provide training and information for workers
Incorrect use of DSE or poorly designed workstations or work environments can lead to pain in necks, shoulders, backs, arms, wrists and hands as well as fatigue and eye strain. The causes may not always be obvious.
The law applies if users are, for example:
- at a fixed workstation (Workstations can also include display screens on machinery where staff may programme or input data directly to the machine)
- mobile workers
- home workers
- hot-desking (workers should carry out a basic risk assessment if they change desks regularly)
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