1. 1 Display Screen Equipment amendments in accordance with the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002

2. 2 Relevant Updates Regulation 3, ‘Requirements for workstations; has been simplified to state ‘Every employer shall ensure that any workstation which may be used for the purposes of his undertaking meets the requirements laid down in the schedule’ (references to different enforcement dates for equipment in place prior to 31 December 1992 are no longer relevant)

3. 3 Official guidance The amended regulations take into account the huge technological changes that have taken place since the regulations came into force January 1993 and also include a greater emphasis on the prevention of stress associated with display screen work. Screens used in work with televisions or film pictures & non-electronic display screens such as microfiche readers, are considered as DSE

4. 4 Official guidance (cont’) There are three new categories of DSE: Microelectronic assembly or testing operatives Television editing technicians Security control room operatives The regulations exclude ‘calculator’s, cash registers or any equipment having small data or measurement display; however……

5. 5 Official guidance (cont’) The guidance points out that there is increasing usage of small screens such as handheld organisers and mobile phones. Whilst not currently included as DSE the guidance states ‘Any prolonged use of such devices for work purposes will be subject to the DSE Regulations and the circumstances of such cases will need to be individually assessed’.

6. 6 Homeworkers The new guidance includes a detailed section on homeworkers and teleworkers. Whilst unlikely to be exposed to any major risk some risks may arise from Social isolation Stress Lack of supervision Lack of employer commitment and difficulties in undertaking risk assessments……..

7. 7 Homeworkers The guidance states ‘it is not always practicable for the employer to send someone else to conduct a risk assessment’ for such workers but it may be possible to train the worker to undertake their own risk assessments. Purchasing of break monitoring software has been suggested in the guidance as it is not always possible to ensure adequate breaks are being taken by the worker Teleworkers and homeworkers need ‘clear chains of communication’ for reporting and resolving ergonomic and work-related health problems

8. 8 Agency Workers Who has health & safety control over agency staff? Where the agency worker is employed by an employment agency the host employer is required to assess risks to the worker arising from their workstations i.e. risk assessments, training etc are a host duty but if corrective appliances are required and eye tests it is then the responsibility of the employment agency. The Employment agency should also ensure that the host employer has carried out its duties under the regulations as in the above assessments etc.

9. 9 Breaks Regulation 4 requires that employers plan work activities so that DSE activity has planned periodic breaks The HSE for the first time advocate break- monitoring software….but the HSE also caution that certain such can in some cases increase frustration and stress levels in staff and so may be undesirable!