Working from home, have a new workstation? What is required to be compliant?

As many employers and employees now work from home, it is important to not that workstations have most definitely changed for the foreseeable future. With this in mind, it is worth noting that certain obligations for the safety, health and welfare at work regulations must be still be adhered to, even when working from home. An example of such obligations are stated in The Safety, Health and Welfare at work Regulations 2007, chapter 5 part 2: display screen equipment. This chapters objective is to give general guidance, aimed at prevention of occupational accidents or ill health at a workstation.

So what is a workstation? Well, it is defined as all encompassing and includes VDU/DSE (visual display units/Display Screen Equipment) and all the individual pieces of equipment, chair, desk, and work environment. A badly arranged workstation may lead to the adoption of a bad working posture with consequent pains in muscles and joints and also visual problems. Workstations must be laid out and kept tidy so as to avoid any employees slipping, tripping or falling. Under the duties of the employer falls the requirement to ensure that workstations must be analysed to evaluate possible risks (VDU/DSE assessment) which may give rise to visual or physical difficulties or to mental stress. A competent person (such as Erica from EriCare Training Solutions) must carry out the analysis of the workstation and this must be documented. Employees must be given the opportunity to to comment in the course of the analysis in addition to the employers general duty to consult with employees on health and safety matters.

Some (not all) minimum requirements for Display Screen Equipment include:

Display screens: They should be able to swivel and tilt easily and freely to suit users needs. Brightness and/or contrast should be easily adjustable by the users. The Screen should be free of reflective glare and reflections liable to cause discomfort.

Keyboard: Should have a matt surface to avoid reflective glare.

Work chair: Should be stable and allow users easy freedom of movement. The seat should be adjustable in height. The back should be adjustable in in both height and tilt.

Work Desk: Should be sufficiently large, have low reflectance surface and allow a flexible arrangement for the screen. A document holder needs to be made available and shall be stable and adjustable. There should be adequate space for users to find a comfortable position.

And finally, what is not included in this chapter?

Computer systems on board a means of transport, calculators, cash registers and any equipment having a small data or measurement display required for direct use of the equipment. Also not included are drivers cabs, or control cabs for vehicles or machinery.

A laptop is not covered by these Regulations due to the fact that under these Regulations the keyboard shall be tillable and separate from the screen so as to allow the user to find a comfortable working position which avoids fatigue in the arms or hands. A laptop does not have a separate keyboard and should not be used for long periods of time. A risk assessment must be carried out to assess the usage of the laptop and the set up of the temporary laptop workstation

Finally, employers: make the call. Book your company in for a DSE assessment for employees today!

EriCare Training Solutions: Office: 046 9439985 Mobile: 085 751 2220 Email: [email protected]