Namestaff Number

NameStaff number

DepartmentContact number

DSE Assessment Checklist

A The Chair

Yes No

Solutions

A.1. Is your chair stable, of adequate size and supportive? / If no, please contact your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator to discuss your chair
A.2 Does your chair adjust in height? / If no a new chair may be required, please contact your Health & Safety Co-ordinator
A.3 Have you adjusted the chair height? / Adjust the chair height to allow you to sit with elbows at approximately 90° and approximately 1” above the desk when touching the G and H keys
A.4 After adjustment, and whilst sitting right back in the chair, can you sit with your feet flat on the floor / If you cannot sit with your feet flat on the floor you may need a footrest, please contact your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator
A.5 Does the backrest adjust in both height and tilt? / If no please contact your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator to discuss your chair requirements
A.6 Have you adjusted the backrest to fit you? / Adjust backrest height so that your lower back is in contact with the chair back. Adjust the tilt to allow support in the lower back without pushing you forward or forcing you to lean back
A.7 Does your chair have arms? /

If no please go to Section B, “The Desk”

A.8. If yes do the arms prevent you from easily sitting close to the desk / If the arms adjust, lower them to allow you to pull the chair forward in closer proximity to the desk. If the arms do not adjust a different chair may be required or the chair arms removed

Please go to the next section

B. The Desk

Yes No

Solutions

B.1 Does the work surface have enough space to fit your computer, screen, keyboard, mouse and/or copy/document holder / Is your desk large enough to position the computer and accessories comfortably for your use
Can you move files or printer to elsewhere in the office
Can you move the processor to allow more space but you will need to consider the screen height if it sits on the processor
B.2 Do you have adequate leg room underneath the work surface to allow a comfortable working position / / Keep the area under the desk clear of unnecessary equipment and personal items
B.3 Is the floor under your desk free from obstructions /
B.4 Is the workstation and equipment arranged so that frequently used items are located within your easy reach, to minimise excessive stretching and twisting /

B.2 Is your work screen based only / If no please go to B4

B.3 Is the screen and keyboard directly in front of you while sitting at the desk? / To ensure you are not twisting your neck or upper back position the screen directly in front of you

B.4 Is your work paper-based, for example, copy typing? / If no please go to B7

B.5 Do you have a copy/document holder? / If no please contact your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator to discuss your requirements

B.6 Is the copy/document holder positioned directly in front of you to read from? / If no, try to position the copy or document holder in front of you to reduce neck and back twisting

B.7 Is your work mixed, i.e., copy typing and screen based typing? /

Move equipment not being used to improve position of computer accessories (such as keyboard, mouse)

B.8 Is the screen and copy or documentholder directly in front of you / If no try and rearrange your desk to ensure that both the screen and copy/document holder can be placed directly in front of you to view without twisting the neck or upper back. Acopy holder should be positioned at the same height and distance from your eyes as the screen. An inline document holder should be positioned between the monitor and keyboard. This will avoid unnecessary frequent head movements and changes of focal length to your vision which has been linked with tired/sore eyes
B.9 Is there adequate space behind chairs and between desks to enable easy access to the workstation / / Discuss with your local line manager / supervisor or Health & Safety Co-ordinator alternative desk configurations to improve access
B.10 Are data and electrical cables positioned to prevent a tripping hazard / / Discuss with your Health & Safety Co-ordinator options to remove a tripping hazard, such as alternative cabling or provision of additional network and power supply
B.11 Are there any other hazards in the immediate work area / / If so, discuss with your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator

C. The Keyboard

Yes No

Solutions

C.1 Is the keyboard separate from the computer and screen / If no and your computer is used for standard secretarial or clerical tasks or is used for extended periods of time please contact your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator for these additional computer peripherals
C.2 Are you comfortable when typing and are your wrists straight? / Is your seat adjusted to the correct height – please see section A
Try tilting your keyboard to improve the position of your wrists

C.3 Do you have enough space to rest your hands in front of the keyboard when not typing? / Consider changing your equipment round, for example, moving your processor to the side to give you more room for your keyboard.
C.4 Can you read the keys on the keyboard / If no, are the letters and numbers worn away by use if so your keyboard may need replacing. Secondly, try cleaning the keys on the keyboard
Consider direct sunlight from windows – if this is preventing the keys from being seen, consider blinds or alternative position of the furniture to eliminate this

C.5 Can you touch type? / Consider training needs to reduce risk of wrist/arm problems due to poor technique

Please go to next section

D. The Display Screen
D.1 Can you read the characters on the Display screen? / If no, is the screen clean, if not obtain cleaning equipment
If the screen is clean can you change the font size or increase the contrast between the characters and the background?
D.2 Is the screen of a suitable size for the tasks undertaken / / If not, discuss this with your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator. If using a laptop request a docking station and separate monitor, keyboard and mouse for your main base. If using a laptop in alternative locations consider using portable equivalents of the keyboard and mouse and a laptop stand to raise the monitor height
D.3 Is the screen at a distance that allows you to view it comfortably / / If not, move the screen to a distance that does allow you to view it comfortably or alter font and icon size in the display menu
D.3 Does the screen flicker /

If yes, please report this to IT support

D.4 Does the screen swivel and tilt? / If no, please contact IT support or your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator

D.5 Have you adjusted the swivel and tilt?

/ If no, try adjusting the swivel or tilt mechanism to allow you to sit with a comfortable head and neck position. If necessary try this again until you are comfortable.

D.6 Is the screen affected by reflections on the screen surface from interior lights

/ If, yes try to find the source of the reflections and manoeuvre the screen to try and reduce the reflections while maintaining a good working posture

D.7 Is the screen affected by reflections on the screen surface from windows

/ If yes, is your screen positioned with a window behind it or behind you, if possible move the screen to a position where windows are at your side.
Do you have adequate window covering, for example blinds or curtains, if not contact your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator.
Are the blinds in good working order and accessible for you to adjust when necessary? If not report this to your manager for consideration of maintenance or replacement of window coverings if necessary

D.8 Is the brightness / contrast on the screen easily adjusted and satisfactory

Please go to next section

E. The Mouse (or alternative inputting devices)

Yes No

Solutions

E.1 Do you use a mouse to control the computer / If no, please go to section F
E.2 Is the mouse within easy reach, for example close to the keyboard /

If no, try to rearrange your desk to ensure the mouse and mouse mat can be used without over reaching or unnecessary twisting or bending of the wrist

E.3 When you are using the mouse, can you use it without bending the wrist / If no, try the mouse and mouse mat in different positions to reduce any bending in the wrist. If you cannot reduce bending of the wrist please contact your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator.
E.4 Does the mouse move freely when used / / Check that you are using the mouse on an appropriate surface and that if wired that the cable has sufficient play for you to move the mouse
E.5 Does the mouse pointer move smoothly across the screen in use / / Adjust mouse controls from Control Panel and confirm that mouse is working properly (Control Panel / mouse / hardware)

E.6 Do you use mouse driven software such as CAD?

/ If no, please go to section F

E.7 Is the mouse positioned directly in front of you / If no and the mouse is your main input device, consider placing the mouse directly in front of you to ensure that it is in the zone of convenient reach and usability
E.8 Do you use any other input devices, for example, microphone, touch screen, laptop keys etc /

If no, please go to section F

E.9 Have you sited the input devices to ensure good posture and easy reach / If no, try changing the workplace around or if using a laptop use a separate mouse and if required contact your local Health & Safety Co-ordinator for advice.

F. Software

F.1 Are you using the correct software for the tasks, for example, Word for word processing, Excel for data handling etc /

If no, contact your supervisor to discuss your software requirements

F.2 Do you think you have had adequate training on the software? / If no, contact your supervisor to discuss your training requirements

Please go to next section

G. User Information / Yes No / Solutions
G.1 Do you have an existing health problem that is causing you difficulty with the use of DSE? / If yes, contact Occupational Health for advice, or request a referral from your Line Manager
G.2 Are you, or have you been issued with any specialist equipment for use with DSE?
G.3 Do you experience any physical or visual discomfort when:
a) working at your workstation or computer?
b) using your mouse at work?
c) in the evening when you get home from work? / If yes and your workstation is set-up optimally please inform you line manager and request a referral to Occupational Health
G.4 If the answer to the previous question is ‘yes’, have you consulted your GP about your symptoms?
G.5 Do you know how to apply for an eyesight test? / If no, speak to your line manager for pre-approval for expenses, then contact an optician of your choice and complete an expenses form with your receipt
G.6 Have you had an eyesight test since beginning to use DSE? / If no, speak to your line manager and then arrange to have one
G.7 Have you had an eyesight test within the last two years? / If no, arrange to have one, having confirmed this with your line manager
G.8 On average how many hours do you normally spend working on DSE at work:
a) less than two hours per day?
b) more than two hours continuous use per day?
c) intermittent use for more than 2 / 3 hours per day?
d) more than 4 / 5 hours cumulative but intermittent use per day?
G.9
a) Are you able to organise your activity so that you can vary your work tasks to include periods of non-DSE work?
b) Are you able to avoid long periods of sitting in one position performing the same activities with your hands? / If no, speak to your line manager or Health & Safety Co-ordinator
If no, speak to your line manager or Health & Safety Co-ordinator
G.10 Are work breaks and / or changes of activity taken before the onset of visual or postural fatigue? / If no, schedule more frequent short breaks in your working day
G.11 On average, how many hours do you normally spend working on a DSE away from work:
a) not at all
b) less than 2 hours per day
c) more than 2 hours continuous use per day?
d) more than 2 / 3 hours cumulative but intermittent use per day. Please state how long.

Thank you for completing the checklist.

Please discuss any of your needs with your line manager or Health and Safety Co-ordinator

Revised February 2015