Computer health and safety is critical where employees work with screens for long periods.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) reports that around 511,000 workers in Great Britain experienced work-related musculoskeletal disorders in 2024/25, resulting in 7.1 million working days lost.
Under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992, employers must assess and reduce risks, so far as reasonably practicable, and provide appropriate information and training. Effective health and safety on computers means ensuring workstations are correctly adjusted, breaks are built into the working day, and employees are competent in safe, ergonomic screen use.
This guide provides employers with clear, practical steps to meet their legal duties, reduce absence and improve computer health and safety, to protect employees and maintain productivity.
What is display screen equipment (DSE)?
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) define display screen equipment as “devices or equipment that have an alphanumeric or graphic display screen and includes display screens, laptops, touchscreens and other similar devices”.
DSE includes:
- Computer monitors
- Laptops
- Tablet computers
- TV screens
- Smartphones
- Electronic display systems
- CCTV monitors
Identifying all DSE equipment in the workplace is the first step in effective computer health safety management.
Why does computer health and safety matter?
Why computer health and safety matters
Poor workstation design and prolonged screen use can lead to significant health problems. Official statistics from the HSE show that hundreds of thousands of workers suffer from musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) each year, leading to millions of lost working days.
Common risks associated with poor health and safety on computers include:
- Back pain
- Neck and shoulder discomfort
- Arm and wrist strain
- Repetitive strain injury (RSI)
- Eye strain and fatigue
- Headaches
These DSE health issues damage employees’ wellbeing, decrease productivity, increase absenteeism, and create legal and reputational risks for employers.
Who is a DSE user?
Employers’ legal obligations for protecting employees from the health risks associated with display screen equipment apply wherever they are using the equipment for work purposes for an hour or more at a time. That includes:
- At a fixed workstation.
- Mobile workers.
- Homeworkers.
- Hot-desking.
Special attention should be given to pregnant workers and employees with pre-existing musculoskeletal or eye conditions, as they may require tailored workstation adjustments to support effective computer health safety.
Examples of poor health and safety on computers
Without proper controls, screen-based work can lead to awkward postures and repeated strain. Examples of poor health safety using computers include:
- Chairs that do not provide adequate support
- Screens positioned too low or too high
- Mice placed too far from the body
- Insufficient leg room
- Glare and reflections on screens
- Unrealistic workloads with no rest breaks
Over time, these factors can contribute to chronic discomfort and long-term injury.
The Display screen equipment regulations 1992
Employers’ responsibilities for computer health and safety are set out in the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992.
The DSE regulations apply to employees who use display screen equipment daily, for more than one hour at a time. The regulations do not apply to employees who are infrequent users of display screen equipment or use it for a short period and are not reliant on it to fulfil their job function.
By law, employers must:
- Carry out a workstation assessment.
- Reduce risks, including ensuring employees have planned breaks from using display screen equipment.
- Arrange an eye test for an employee who asks for one and provide glasses if an employee needs them only for DSE use.
- Provide display screen equipment training for employees.
What is a DSE workstation assessment?
Employers must conduct a DSE workstation assessment if an employee’s normal work involves using DSE continuously for an hour or more.
The assessment is needed to identify any risks and must be undertaken by someone that is competent. If any risks are identified, they must be managed through effective controls.
Some employees may benefit from a more tailored DSE assessment, particularly if they have pre-existing conditions. At Praxis42 we offer a convenient Virtual Ergonomic Assessment so employees can receive advice that’s right for them.
A DSE assessment must examine:
- The whole workstation, including the equipment and furniture.
- The workplace environment, such as noise and lighting.
- The tasks being completed at the workstation.
- Any special requirements needed for people such as those who are pregnant or have a disability.
Employers are also required to carry out a DSE assessment when:
- A new workstation is set up.
- A new employee starts work.
- A change is made to an existing workstation or the way it’s used.
- A user complains of pain or discomfort.
Checks during the assessment include ensuring:
- Keyboards and computer mice are in a comfortable position.
- Characters on screens are sharp, in focus and don’t flicker.
- Screens are free from glare and reflections.
- Work surfaces are large enough for the necessary equipment, stationery and documents.
A thorough assessment is central to managing health and safety with computers effectively.
Controlling risks
If a DSE assessment identifies risks, you must address them. Measures may include:
- Fixing faulty equipment or providing new equipment.
- Training the employee in how to adopt better postures or how to use equipment or software features.
- Encouraging the employee to rearrange their workstation.
- Repositioning power sockets so equipment can be moved.
- Improving lighting, ventilation, air conditioning or heating.
Managing risks proactively strengthens computer health safety and demonstrates compliance with legal duties.
Breaks and changes of activity
By law, employers must ensure DSE users have regular breaks or changes of activity. This allows them to move around, stretch and change posture. There is no legal guidance on how long breaks should be, but the HSE advises that more frequent short breaks often are better than less frequent longer breaks.
Most employees can alternate their DSE use with other activities such as attending meetings and making phone calls. If not, they should have planned regular breaks or changes of activity.
Encouraging movement and posture changes is a key part of improving health and safety on computers.
Computer health and safety for homeworkers
Employers are legally required to manage the risks associated with DSE for employees working from home.
For employees working from home permanently or over a long period, employers must undertake workstation assessments and provide them with appropriate equipment and training on control measures that may be required following the assessment.
For employees working in an agile or hybrid way, an assessment is still required, and controls may be more aligned with training and establishing good ergonomic principles to place they are work at from time to time.
Eye tests and glasses
By law, employers must inform users about their eye test policy and arrangements for the provision of an eye test if a DSE user asks for one.
Tests should be an eyesight examination by a qualified optometrist or doctor. An employer can either let an employee arrange their own test and reimburse them for the cost or arrange tests themselves.
If a test shows an employee requires special glasses for the screen’s distance, the employer must pay for the glasses.
For more information, please read our guide, DSE glasses and eye tests for employees – does my employer have to pay?
Training: supporting safety for computer users
Providing display screen equipment (DSE) training for employees who rely on DSE is a legal requirement. Training should cover the risks involved with DSE and how to avoid them. It should include advice on:
- Good posture.
- How to properly set up a workstation.
- How to ergonomically adjust seating, keyboard and screen.
- The importance of taking breaks and changing activities.
- How to report problems.
- Findings of the workstation assessment and the controls to be applied.
Embedding strong training processes improves safety for computer users and helps prevent long-term health issues.
Strengthen computer health and safety in your organisation
Improve computer health and safety and meet your duties under the Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 with Praxis42.
Our IOSH-approved Display Screen Equipment Training gives employees practical skills to reduce risk, while our virtual DSE assessments provide tailored ergonomic advice and clear reports to support compliance.
For scalable compliance, our online DSE assessment tool enables employees to self-assess quickly while giving managers clear visibility of risks and required actions.
To discuss your requirements, please contact our friendly team on 0203 011 4242 / info@praxis42.com
Adam Clarke
Managing Director (Consulting)
