DSE Health Problems at Online Safety Courses: accredited online DSE training with instant certificate for Ireland

DSE Health Problems

Who the display screen rules cover, what the employer must do and how to set up a workstation that does not cause harm.

The health problems linked to DSE are upper limb disorders in the neck, shoulders, arms and wrists, back pain, eye strain and headaches, and fatigue and stress. They develop gradually and are prevented by a well set up workstation, regular breaks and early reporting of discomfort.

Start Your DSE Training CourseStart Your Course
749,500+
CERTIFIED LEARNERS
4.9★
AVERAGE RATING
98%
PASS RATE
24/7
COURSE ACCESS

#1Most Chosen Provider in IrelandMost Chosen in Ireland

Official Health and Safety Courses Ireland

Every accredited course on this platform: about an hour online each, CPD certified, with a verifiable certificate the moment you pass. Pick the ones your role needs.

Sale on Online Safety Courses - Online Safety Training Ireland
Manual Handling Course - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses Bestseller
Manual Handling Course
Theory + Practical part includedTheory + Practical
QQI CPD HSE

Duration: 45 Minutes
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Manual Handling Theory - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Manual Handling Theory
Theory only, instant certificateTheory only, instant cert
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 45 Minutes
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Patient Handling Course - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Patient Handling Course
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD HSE

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Working at Heights - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Working at Heights
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Abrasive Wheels - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Abrasive Wheels
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD HSE

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Food Safety & HACCP Level 1 & 2 - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Food Safety & HACCP Level 1 & 2
Level 1 & 2 BundleLevel 1 & 2 Bundle
HSE CPD QQI

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Food Safety and HACCP Level 3 - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Food Safety and HACCP Level 3
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
HSE CPD QQI

Duration: 2-3 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€110 €49 Final priceNo hidden fees
Food Allergen Awareness - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Food Allergen Awareness
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
HSE CPD QQI

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€64 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Fire Warden (Fire Marshal) - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Fire Warden (Fire Marshal)
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Health and Safety Training for Managers - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses New
Health and Safety Training for Managers
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 8-9 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€175 €95 Final priceNo hidden fees
Health & Safety Induction for Employees - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Health & Safety Induction for Employees
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD IIRSM

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€64 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Sexual Harassment Training for Employees - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Sexual Harassment Training for Employees
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD IIRSM

Duration: 2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Risk Assessment - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Risk Assessment
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD IIRSM

Duration: 2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Lone Worker Training - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Lone Worker Training
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Warehouse Safety Training - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses New
Warehouse Safety Training
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Slips, Trips and Falls Training - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses New
Slips, Trips and Falls Training
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Ladder Safety Training - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses New
Ladder Safety Training
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Emergency First Aid At Work - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Emergency First Aid At Work
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD HSE

Duration: 2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 2 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Asbestos Awareness - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Asbestos Awareness
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
IATP CPD HSE

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
COSHH Training: Hazardous Substances & Chemical Safety - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
COSHH Training: Hazardous Substances & Chemical Safety
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Infection Prevention & Control - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Infection Prevention & Control
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Legionella Training Course - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses New
Legionella Training Course
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Noise Awareness Training - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Noise Awareness Training
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Electrical Safety Training - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Electrical Safety Training
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Working in Confined Spaces - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Working in Confined Spaces
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Fire Safety Training - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Fire Safety Training
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Fire Extinguisher - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Fire Extinguisher
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD RoSPA

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Protective Equipment PPE - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Protective Equipment PPE
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD HSE

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Office Safety Training - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Office Safety Training
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD IIRSM

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€75 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees
Display Screen Equipment - Health and Safety Course Online by Online Safety Courses
Display Screen Equipment
Accredited · Instant CertificateInstant Certificate
QQI CPD IIRSM

Duration: 1-2 Hours
Certificate Validity: 3 Years
€64 €32 Final priceNo hidden fees

Looking for a different course?

See All Our Courses

The DSE training course at Online Safety Courses is built to be simple for every learner, whatever your first language. Short video lessons, clear illustrations and readable text walk you through workstation setup, posture and eye care step by step. This DSE course online satisfies HSA and HSE expectations, follows EU rules and issues a recognised DSE certificate accepted throughout Ireland, the UK and Europe. Start your DSE training now. Online Safety Courses proudly serves learners across every county in Ireland, including Dublin, Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Kilkenny.

Health and safety courses available across the European Union Health and safety courses Ireland - Online Safety Courses Health and safety training United Kingdom - safety courses online Safety courses online for Polish learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Romanian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Lithuanian learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Latvian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Indian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for United States learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for German learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for French learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Italian learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Spanish learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Portuguese learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Dutch learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Belgian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Luxembourg learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Austrian learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Swiss learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Czech learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Slovak learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Hungarian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Croatian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Bosnian learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Greek learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Bulgarian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Ukrainian learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Estonian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Swedish learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Norwegian learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Danish learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Finnish learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Icelandic learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Maltese learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Chinese learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Japanese learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for South Korean learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Filipino learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Thai learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Australian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Nigerian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for South African learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Brazilian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Argentine learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Colombian learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Turkish learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety training for Saudi Arabian learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses for Qatari learners at Online Safety Courses Safety courses online for Kazakh learners at Online Safety Courses Health and safety courses and health and safety training available worldwide
Simple & Easy, 100% Online

How the DSE Training Course Works: 4 Easy Steps

Your DSE certificate is four simple steps away, wherever you are in Ireland: Dublin, Cork, Galway or anywhere across every county in Ireland. The whole DSE course runs online around your own schedule.

  1. 1

    Register & Begin Right Away

    Takes 2 minutes

    Open your account at Online Safety Courses, pick the DSE course and pay securely. Your DSE training unlocks the moment payment completes.

  2. 2

    Learn at Your Own Speed

    Any device, anytime

    Phone, tablet or laptop, between meetings or at home. Pause the DSE course mid lesson and carry on later exactly where you stopped.

  3. 3

    Sit the Online Assessment

    Free unlimited retakes

    Attempt the DSE assessment once you feel ready. Every retake is free, so there is no pressure at all.

  4. 4

    Download Your Certificate

    Instant download

    The second you pass, your DSE certificate is generated. Download, print or send it to your employer straight away.

How the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Course works at Online Safety Courses: complete your DSE training online in 4 easy steps
Instant Safety CertificateInstant Certificate
Training a team? You save more. Team Offer
15% off 3 different courses
10% off 10+ courses
20% off 50+ courses
€100 flat Any 5 different courses*
Just add courses to your cart. The best deal is applied automatically. No code needed. *Applies to all courses except HACCP Level 3 and Health and Safety for Managers.
CPD and RoSPA accredited Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Course online at Online Safety Courses Ireland
Trusted & Accredited

Accredited DSE Training, You Can Trust

Online Safety Courses is operated by a legally registered company, and this DSE course carries independent approval from leading professional bodies. Employers in Ireland, from Dublin and Cork to Galway, accept our certification without question, as do businesses across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

  • Meets Every Standard The DSE training is CPD Certified and RoSPA Approved and meets HSA standards, exactly the accreditations Irish employers look for.
  • Fully Aligned with Irish Law Built directly on the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 and Chapter 5 of Part 2 of the General Application Regulations 2007, the display screen equipment rules for Ireland.
  • Always Up to Date Content is reviewed against current Irish and European legislation and HSA guidance, so your DSE certificate never falls behind the rules.
EU
RoSPA
QQI
CPD
IIRSM
Official Certification

Your DSE Certificate, Ready Today

Finish the DSE training at Online Safety Courses and an officially recognised DSE certificate lands in your account instantly, accepted by employers in Ireland and right across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

  • Accredited & Recognised CPD Certified and RoSPA Approved DSE certification aligned with HSA guidance and European legislation, trusted in every sector.
  • Strengthen Your CV & LinkedIn A smart credential for office, administrative and remote roles in the screen based economy.
  • Instant Download The DSE certificate is available the moment you pass, ready to print or share.

749,500+ learners across Ireland and the UK have certified with Online Safety Courses, including thousands through this DSE training.

Get Certified Today
DSE certificate from Online Safety Courses: accredited Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Course online with instant download
CPD Certified
RoSPA Approved
Customer Reviews

Join Thousands Who Trust Online Safety Courses

From Dublin, Cork and Galway to businesses across Ireland, the UK and Europe, thousands choose us for accredited online safety training, fast completion and instant certification.

Verified Reviews
4.9 Average Rating
749,500+ Learners
We Are Here to Help

DSE Health Problems FAQ, Your Questions Answered

Straight answers about the DSE course for Ireland learners: local acceptance, online delivery, certification and pricing at Online Safety Courses.

Not on its own. The HSA expects the analysis of a workstation to be carried out by a competent person who observes the employee at the workstation. A self assessment form or software can gather information beforehand, but it does not replace the assessor.

The employer pays for the eye test. If the test shows that you need glasses specifically for screen work, because your normal glasses are not suitable, the employer pays the cost of a basic pair. Glasses needed for general use are your own expense.

Yes. An employee who habitually uses a screen as a significant part of their work is covered wherever the work is done. The home workstation must be assessed, and the employer must provide what is needed to make it suitable.

Learn on Any Device

Take the DSE Course, Anytime, Anywhere

The DSE training course runs beautifully on PC, laptop, tablet and smartphone, at the office or at the kitchen table. A clean, comfortable platform designed for smooth learning around a busy calendar. Learners in Ireland study from home, from work or on the move, with no classroom visit needed anywhere across every county in Ireland.

Any Device The DSE course adapts perfectly to mobile, tablet and desktop.
Your Own Pace Stop and restart the DSE training whenever meetings allow.
Videos & Graphics Watch correct workstation setup and posture demonstrated clearly.
Fully Accredited A genuine DSE certificate from a fully accredited online course.
Start Learning Today
Learner completing the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Course online on any device at Online Safety Courses Ireland
100% Online Course

Lucky Day: Today Only

Get 5 Safety Courses for Just €20 Each

Offer ends tonight Our most picked offer

Build Your Own Bundle

Add any 5 different courses* to your cart and pay €100 instead of €160+. That's just €20 per course. The discount is applied automatically in your cart, no promo code, no waiting.

Instant certificate as soon as you finish Included
Free retakes until you pass Included
Lifetime access, never expires, finish anytime Included
Build My Bundle for €100

* Applies to all courses except HACCP Level 3 and Health and Safety for Managers.

Any 5 courses
Total value €160+
Today only €100
You keep €60+
Offer expires in --hrs : --min : --sec
Valid today only

Training a team? Buy as many bundles as you need. Every learner gets certified at €20 per course.

DSE group training for teams: Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Course online by Online Safety Courses
Health and Safety Training loved by employersLoved by employers
For Teams & Organizations

DSE Training for Your Whole Team

Rolling out DSE training across departments is painless with Online Safety Courses. Instant access, unlimited retakes and no time limits on every seat, plus a free Employer Dashboard to assign the DSE course, watch progress live and collect every certificate in one place. Businesses in Ireland certify entire teams in a single afternoon, with every certificate collected in one place.

15% OFF Mix any 3+ different courses, applied automatically
10% OFF Add 10+ courses to your cart, applied automatically
20% OFF Add 50+ courses to your cart, applied automatically
€100 FLAT Any 5 different courses (premium courses excluded), the best deal wins automatically
  • Start Training Instantly
  • Assign Courses Easily
  • Track Team Progress
  • Download All Certificates

The DSE training is fully accredited and compliant with Irish legislation. Businesses in Ireland, from construction and pharma to healthcare, hospitality, logistics and agriculture, rely on it every single week.

Discover Training Teams
Simple Process

4 Easy Steps to Your DSE Certificate

Earning your DSE certificate in Ireland could not be simpler. Register, work through the DSE course online at your own pace, pass the assessment and download your accredited certificate instantly, wherever you are across every county in Ireland.

1 Takes 2 Minutes

Register & Pick Your Course

Set up your free account in seconds, add the accredited DSE training course to your cart and pay securely. Access begins immediately.

2 Study 24/7

Learn on Your Schedule

HD video lessons, sharp graphics and interactive content, available around the clock on phone, tablet or computer with no deadlines attached.

3 Unlimited Retries

Pass the Assessment

Take the online DSE assessment whenever you feel prepared. Retakes cost nothing and support is always close by.

4 Instant Download

Collect Your Certificate

Your accredited DSE certificate appears the moment you pass, recognised by employers across Ireland, the UK and Europe, and yours forever.

Why Choose Us

Why Take Your DSE Course with Online Safety Courses?

Discover why workers and businesses in Ireland, from Dublin, Cork, Galway and beyond, choose Online Safety Courses for DSE training.

The DSE course at Online Safety Courses fits Ireland working life perfectly. From Dublin's construction cranes and Cork's pharma plants to Galway's medtech campuses, Limerick's manufacturing belt and the farms, hotels, warehouses and hospitals in every county between, Irish workplaces run on certified, compliant staff. Instead of losing a day to a classroom, learners in Ireland complete the full accredited training online, in about 1-2 hours, from home or straight from the workplace.

Local employers know exactly what they are looking at when your certificate arrives: CPD Certified, RoSPA approved, HSA aligned training from a provider used by businesses across every county in Ireland. The unique verification code on every certificate makes checks instant, whether you work in Dublin, Cork or Galway.

For businesses, the free Employer Dashboard turns a team rollout into one afternoon of work: bulk registration, live progress and every DSE certificate in one clean screen, with automatic volume discounts applied at checkout.

This DSE training course was designed around real office calendars. Every lesson streams on any device, every pause saves your place, and nothing needs installing. HD video, animation and interactive questions turn ergonomics, posture and eye care into changes you apply at your desk the same day.

The syllabus tracks exactly what the HSA expects for DSE users: chair, desk and screen adjustment, keyboard and mouse technique, lighting and glare, laptop and hot desk setups, eye care and entitlements, break habits and home working ergonomics.

Whether you are one remote worker fixing a sore neck or an HR manager certifying every department, the DSE training flows without friction from registration to certificate.

Ergonomics consultants and classroom workshops cost serious money and calendar time. The online DSE course removes the problem. Staff certify at their desks or from home, starting the moment you enrol them.

Managers see each completion in real time and can hand auditors a full DSE training record in seconds. Stack the automatic volume discounts on top and this becomes the most economical accredited DSE training available in Ireland.

Pricing is honest: one figure covers the full course, unlimited retakes and the instant DSE certificate. No add ons, ever.

Nobody learns well between back to back meetings. The self-paced DSE course lets each person move at whatever speed suits, pausing on any device and resuming exactly where they left off.

A clear progress tracker shows how much of the display screen equipment training remains and how close the certificate is. Most finish inside 1-2 hours; others take a few coffee breaks across the week. Both work perfectly.

Assign it to departments and staff will slot it around real work without disruption, one of the main reasons Irish employers return to Online Safety Courses year after year.

There is no waiting around. Pass the assessment and the digital DSE certificate is generated on the spot, aligned with Irish legislation and recognised across Ireland, the UK and Europe.

It lives permanently in your account for re-download during audits and job moves, and its unique verification code lets anyone confirm it instantly.

For the business, that means a clean, verifiable DSE record for every screen based employee, exactly what Chapter 5 requires.

Every module comes from licensed, Chartered (CMIOSH) health and safety consultants holding NFQ Level 6 and QQI Level 6 qualifications, people who have assessed thousands of real Irish workstations.

That experience shows: you learn the chair height that ends shoulder tension, the screen distance that stops evening headaches, the wrist position that prevents strain injuries and the stretch habits that undo long screen days. Practical demonstrations make every lesson immediately usable.

Content is re-reviewed against current legislation and HSA guidance, so the DSE course never drifts out of date.

The platform never closes. Start the DSE training between meetings, continue at home in the evening and finish on Friday afternoon, whatever rhythm the calendar allows.

Progress syncs across every device automatically, so switching from office PC to home laptop mid module is seamless. Hybrid and remote staff get exactly the same premium experience.

You can also reopen the workstation module whenever desks move or the home office gets refreshed, turning the DSE course into a living resource rather than a one time event.

Online Safety Courses has certified more than 749,500 learners across Ireland, the UK and Europe, with a 98% pass rate and a 4.9 star average from verified Google reviews we cannot edit or hide.

From Dublin to Cork, Galway to Limerick and Waterford to Belfast, our DSE training helps desk based Ireland sit, see and work more comfortably.

Employers come back because it simply works: clean records, instant certificates and a support team that answers.

Anyone using a screen for a significant part of the working day is legally a DSE user, and their employer must train them. That covers most of the modern Irish workforce.

In practice, the people certifying with us are office employees, administrators, finance teams, IT professionals, call centre agents, designers, support teams, managers and the huge population of remote and hybrid workers on home desks that were never professionally set up.

The course pairs perfectly with Office Health and Safety for complete desk based compliance, and the automatic discounts reward taking both. Our Irish support team can help you build the right mix.

Essential Knowledge

DSE Health Problems

Who the display screen rules cover, what the employer must do and how to set up a workstation that does not cause harm.

The health problems screen work can cause

  • Upper limb disorders: aches, pain and stiffness in the neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands, from poor posture and repeated movements.
  • Back pain: from sitting for long periods in an unsupported position.
  • Eye strain and headaches: tired, dry or sore eyes, blurred vision.
  • Fatigue and stress: from pace, pressure and software that is hard to use.

The symptoms usually begin mildly and ease away from work. Reported early, they are put right by changing the workstation or the way the work is done. Ignored, they can become long lasting.

Breaks from the screen

The regulations require the employer to plan the work so that daily work on a screen is periodically interrupted by breaks or by changes of activity. They set no fixed timing, because the right pattern depends on the job.

  • Short, frequent breaks work better than occasional long ones: five to ten minutes in every hour is a useful guide.
  • A break means a change: filing, a phone call taken standing, a walk to the printer. Scrolling on a phone is not a break from the screen.
  • Breaks are taken before tiredness sets in, not to recover from it.
  • Where the work allows, the employee should choose when to take them.

What the regulations require

Chapter 5 of Part 2 of the General Application Regulations 2007 applies to every employee who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work. The employer must:

  • analyse each workstation to evaluate the risks to eyesight, physical problems and mental stress,
  • put right what the analysis finds, to the minimum requirements of Schedule 4,
  • plan the work so that screen time is interrupted by breaks or changes of activity,
  • provide information and training on the workstation and its risks,
  • provide an eye and eyesight test, and special corrective appliances where the test shows they are needed for screen work.

Setting up the workstation

  1. Adjust the chair so that your thighs are level and your feet are flat on the floor or a footrest.
  2. Set the back rest to support the curve of your lower back.
  3. Sit close to the desk with your elbows by your sides, bent at about 90 degrees.
  4. Place the screen directly in front of you, about an arm's length away.
  5. Raise or lower the screen so that the top of it is at or just below eye level.
  6. Keep the keyboard and mouse close, with your wrists straight.
  7. Turn the screen away from windows and bright lights to remove glare.

Assessed in person

Each workstation is analysed by a competent person. A self completed form alone is not enough.

Eyes tested

An employee who uses a screen is entitled to an eye and eyesight test paid for by the employer.

Breaks built in

Screen work is planned so that it is broken up by other tasks or short breaks.

The accredited DSE Course covers the risks of screen work, how to set up a workstation and what the law requires, in about an hour online, with a CPD certified certificate the moment you pass.