dse-equipment-self-assessement

Company Name

Display Screen Equipment Self Assessment

Name of Employee

Assisted by

Location

Department / Section / Team etc

Date of Assessment

Next Assessment Date

1. General

Are you comfortable is your workplace?

Yes No

If no, please state why?

2. Layout

Do you have a clear emergency route from your workstation?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: The emergency routes should be clear of any obstruction

Have tripping hazards and trailing cables been eliminated?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: Make any necessary adjustments

3. Lighting

Is lighting at your workstation suitable for your tasks (for example, not too bright or too dim to work comfortably)?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: Can users should control light levels, for example by adjusting blinds or artificial lighting

4. Temperature

Is the temperature comfortable (16 degrees centigrade, one hour after starting work)?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: Can heating be better controlled?

5. Air

Does the air feel comfortable?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: DSE and other equipment can dry the air – circulate fresh air if possible?

6. Noise

Are levels of noise comfortable?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: Moving sources of noise, for example other equipment, away from workstation

7. Workstation

Is the work surface large enough to accommodate your work and equipment?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: Creating more room by moving reference materials, etc. elsewhere

Are surfaces free from glare and reflection?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: Using a desk blotter to reduce a reflective

Is there adequate space for changes in posture, for example for knees and feet to be moved?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: Space is needed for free movement. Move any obstructions from under the workstation. Consider moving equipment to provide space

Can you adequately reach all of the necessary equipment and documentation you need to use?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: Rearrange equipment, documentation, etc. to ensure frequently used items are within reach

8. Chair

The chair may need replacing or repair if the user is uncomfortable, or cannot use the adjustment mechanisms

Is the chair suitable?

Yes No

Notes

Is the chair stable?

Yes No

Notes

Does the chair have a working:

Seat back height and tilt adjustment?

Yes No

Notes

Seat height adjustment?

Yes No

Notes

Swivel mechanism?

Yes No

Notes

Castors or glides?

Yes No

Notes

Is the small of your the chair’s backrest?

Yes No

Notes

The user should have a straight back, supported by the chair with relaxed shoulders

Can it be positioned at the desk so that you can work in comfort without twisting and stretching?

Yes No

Concerns / Actions

Are feet flat on the floor without too much pressure from the seat on the back of the legs?

Yes No

Notes

Consider a foot rest

Are your lower arms approximately 90 degrees to the body?

Yes No

Notes

Adjust your chair height to get your arms in the right (horizontal) position

Are your eyes approximately level with the top of the screen?

Yes No

Notes

Adjust the DSE height if necessary

Is the chair adjusted correctly, so that you are neither slouching or leaning forward, but with a straight back?

Yes No

DSE distance between the operator and the screen

Notes

The distance between the operator and the screen should be as indicated below. The arms of the chair may stop the user getting too close

9. Electrical Equipment

Has electrical equipment been checked for safety?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: Is there an ongoing programme for electrical appliance testing at the depot. Check the dates on any extension leads you are using to ensure compliance

10. Keyboard

Is the keyboard separate from the screen?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: This is a requirement, unless the task makes it impractical, for instance where the user has a laptop)

Does the keyboard tilt?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: Tilt need not to be built in

Is it possible to find a comfortable position when typing (arms are neither outstretched or too close to the body)?

Yes No

Notes / Corrective Actions

Consideration: The upper arms should be at approximately 90 degrees with the lower arms. The keyboard should be pushed back so that the desk can provide support for your wrists during typing pauses. Users of “thick, raised” keyboard may require a wrist rest

Do you have a good keyboard technique?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: The following should be prevented: a) Hands bent up at the wrists, b) Hitting keys too hard, c) Over-stretching the fingers

Do you have a good keyboard technique?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: The following should be prevented: a) Hands bent up at the wrists, b) Hitting keys too hard, c) Over-stretching the fingers

Do you have a good keyboard technique?

Yes No

Notes

Consideration: The following should be prevented: a) Hands bent up at the wrists, b) Hitting keys too hard, c) Over-stretching the fingers

11. Mouse

Is the mouse (or trackball) suitable for the task it is used for?

Yes No

Notes

Can the mouse be positioned on the desk within easy reach for you to work in comfort without stretching?

Yes No

Notes

The mouse is best placed as close as possible, right beside the keyboard.· > Avoid overreaching your arm ·> Avoid leaving your hand on the mouse when it’s not in use > Try and relax your arm and keep a straight wrist

Is there support for your wrist and forearm when using the mouse?

Yes No

Notes

Support can be gained from the desk surface or arm of chair and wrist pad

Does the mouse work smoothly at a speed that suits you?

Yes No

Notes

See if cleaning is required. Check the work surface is suitable – a mouse mat may be needed

Can you easily adjust software settings for speed and accuracy of pointer?

Yes No

Notes

Seek guidance if you cannot adjust this

12. Screen / Monitor

Are images clear and stable, and characters of a suitable size for you?

Yes No

Notes

Ensure the screen is clean. Check that text and background colours work well together. If problems such as “flickering” persist adjust your software settings or consult the IT department

Is the screen’s specifications suitable for use?

Yes No

Notes

Try changing resolution, which can make graphics larger or smaller, depending on the function you are using

Is the brightness and contrast adjustable?

Yes No

Notes

Separate controls not essential, provided the user can read the screen easily at all times

Is the screen free of glare when you are working in a normal position at the workstation?

Yes No

Notes

You may need to move the screen to suit. Screens that use dark characters on a light background are less prone to glare

Are adjustable window coverings provided and in adequate working condition?

Yes No

Notes

Check that blinds work. Blinds with vertical slats are more suitable than horizontal ones. If all else fails, consider an anti-glare filter as a last resort

13. Task Design and Software

Is the software easy to use and suitable for the task?

Yes No

Notes

Software should help you carry out the task, minimise stress and be user-friendly. Ensure that you have had appropriate capability in using the software. Software should respond quickly and clearly to your input, with adequate feedback, such as clear help messages

Have you received any / enough training to use your software?

Yes No

Notes

If no, list software training requirement

14. Work Planning

Does your job include “natural” breaks from DSE work (for example, telephone calls, filing, photocopying, etc.)?

Yes No

Notes

If no, then you must ensure that you take frequent, short breaks – around 10 minutes per hour)

15. Other

Has this self-assessment covered all the problems you may have working with your DSE?

Yes No

Notes

Employee Signiture

______________________

Date

To be filled in by the assessor only:

Based on the information presented in this assessment, the individuals DSE working set-up is considered to be:

Satisfactory Actions Required

Action Level

High Medium Low

Assessor Comments

Assessor

Reference No

Signed

_______________________________

Date

Follow up action record:

1. General: Notes / Corrective Actions

Completed date