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What is DSE?

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) refers to any device with an alphanumeric or graphic display screen such as desktop computers, laptops, phones and tablets. The nature of work at UCL means you can find yourself working with DSE at a workstation for extended periods. 

Poor posture can lead to the risk of upper limb disorders, backache, fatigue and stress, temporary eyestrain and headaches. The risks presented by workstations remain the same regardless of the location of work. If you have a fixed workstation that you work at every day, then it is likely that you can adjust your workstation to suit your needs. 

Assessing your workstation

With agile and hybrid working, it is important to understand the principles of how to set up your workstation as you may be required to adjust your workstation or chair at different locations.

It is mandatory at UCL for staff who use DSE for a significant part of their normal work to undertake a workstation assessment. This refers to staff who use DSE continuously for an hour or more at a time on a daily basis.

A workstation assessment is not required for people who use display screen systems infrequently or only use them for a short time. However, the principles for setting up a workstation with DSE can also be applied to workstations without DSE.

> Practical steps that you can take to manage your comfort whether in the office or at home

How to do a workstation (DSE) assessment using riskNET

Workstation assessments must be undertaken via the RiskNET DSE tool which has the following features: 

• User tutorial – provides information about health effects and instruction on setting up your workstation safely.
• User checklist – provides direct feedback to your manager if users require further assessment.
• A method of recording recommendations, corrective actions, tracking and assigning.

> (UCL login required)

Video Tutorial

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Work routine and breaks

Regardless of your set up, the best way to look after your musculoskeletal health is to take regular breaks and to move around as much as possible.

Take short breaks often, rather than longer ones less often. For example 5 to 10 minutes every hour is better than 20 minutes every 2 hours.

> Read about break monitoring software

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