dse

Display Screen Equipment (DSE)

Ensuring staff and students stay healthy whilst using DSE at the University

Introduction

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) are devices such as screen monitors, laptops, touch screens and other similar devices. Overuse or improper use of DSE can cause fatigue, eye strain, upper limb problems and backache to staff or students. These problems can also be experienced from poorly designed workstations or work environments. The causes may not always be obvious and can be due to a combination of factors.

The use of DSE is governed by the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations. In order to comply with these regulations, the University of Portsmouth provides employees with:

  • An eye test if a worker requires one (habitual users)
  • Display Screen Equipment awareness training and assessment
  • Training and information for workers
  • Occupational Health Referrals

 

For More Information

The DSE regulations define a user as an individual who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work. As a guide, an individual is considered a user if they have sessions of continuous DSE use for more than 1 hour nearly every day.

A large amount of display screen equipment work, particularly that carried out by academics and other researchers, is intermittent. Therefore in these cases, the total time spent using display screen equipment over a period of a week should be considered and the following guide used:

  • If the average is about 2 hours a day or more, the individual is considered a user
  • If the average is less than 1 hour then, subject to an examination of the type of usage, the individual is not defined as a user
  • If the average is between 1 and 2 hours, the type of usage must be taken into account

Members of staff can request an eyesight test via the Health and Safety Hub, and via the link below: 

 

Request a Eye Test Voucher

 

Upon receipt an eyesight test voucher, staff members will then need to make their own arrangements with any Specsavers branch to have an eye test. The Specsavers voucher will entitle the user to a free eye test and £45 towards the cost of glasses, if solely for DSE use. Please note that this scheme does not include the provision of contact lenses.

Should staff members wish to upgrade to more expensive frames, lenses or varifocals, this may be done at their own expense.

The Health, Safety and Compliance Team provide online DSE training and assessment. This training is mandatory for all University staff and must be completed every 3 years, or sooner if circumstances change, such as new equipment, furniture, or a change in desk setup. The training can be found through the link below:

 

DSE Training

 

For any queries or issues concerning accessing this training, please email hsservicedesk@port.ac.uk.

For any further queries or information, please find the relevant contact details below:

 

DSE, Eyecare Information, etc.

T: 02392 843075

E: hsservicedesk@port.ac.uk

 

Computers, Software, etc.

T: 02392 847777

E: servicedesk@port.ac.uk

 

Health concerns or issues

T: 011 8207 6190

E: admin@cordellhealth.co.uk

Useful Information and Guidance