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DSE Assessment
for Office & Home Workers
DSE Regulations 1992 · Ergonomic Workstation Setup · MSD Prevention
Professional DSE workstation assessments for office, home, and hybrid workers. Reduce musculoskeletal risk and ensure compliance with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992.
Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis
30-minute Compliance Call Valued at £750+
What Happens on Your Free Gap Analysis Call:
- 1.30-minute consultation
- 2.We review your current H&S arrangements
- 3.We identify 1-10 critical compliance gaps you're missing
Identify 1+ gaps, or you receive a £50 gift card. Only 20 consultations are available every month.
DSE Assessment, Ergonomic Review & Compliance for Office & Home Workers
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) is used by millions of UK workers every day — in offices, at home, and in hybrid working arrangements.
While DSE work is often perceived as low risk, poor workstation setup, prolonged screen use, and inadequate ergonomics are among the leading causes of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the UK — including back pain, neck pain, upper limb disorders, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Arinite provides professional DSE workstation assessments, ergonomic reviews, DSE risk assessor training, and compliance support to help employers meet their legal duties under the DSE Regulations 1992 and protect employee health — wherever work takes place.
What Is Display Screen Equipment (DSE)?
Display Screen Equipment (DSE) refers to any device with an alphanumeric or graphic display screen. This includes:
Desktop computers and monitors
Laptops and notebooks
Tablets and touchscreen devices
Docked devices and multi-monitor setups
Any screen used in conjunction with a keyboard, mouse, or other input device
A DSE workstation includes the screen, input devices (keyboard, mouse, trackpad), desk or work surface, chair, document holder, footrest, and the immediate working environment (lighting, temperature, noise).
A DSE user (or habitual user) is typically an employee who uses DSE for continuous spells of one hour or more on most working days. Both office-based and home workers can be DSE users.
Why DSE Health & Safety Matters
DSE-related health problems develop gradually and are easily overlooked until they become chronic.
Without proper DSE assessment and ergonomic controls, employees may develop:
Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) — the most common DSE-related health issue
Back pain, neck pain, and shoulder tension
Upper limb disorders — including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and repetitive strain injury (RSI)
Eye strain, visual fatigue, headaches, and dry eyes
Work-related stress and fatigue linked to poor posture and uncomfortable workstations
The consequences for employers include:
Increased sickness absence and presenteeism
Reduced productivity and employee engagement
Long-term occupational health conditions and disability
Increased employer liability — personal injury claims and HSE enforcement
Failure to comply with the DSE Regulations 1992
Legal Requirements: DSE Regulations 1992
Under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, as amended by the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002, employers must:
Carry out DSE workstation risk assessments for all habitual DSE users
Ensure workstations meet the minimum ergonomic requirements in the Schedule to the Regulations
Plan work activities to include regular breaks or changes from screen-based work
Provide eye and eyesight tests on request, free of charge
Provide corrective appliances (spectacles) if required specifically for DSE work — at no cost to the employee
Provide information, instruction, and training on DSE risks, workstation setup, and the importance of breaks
These duties apply equally to:
Office-based employees using DSE at their employer's premises
Home workers and remote workers using DSE at home
Hybrid workers using DSE across multiple locations
Hot-desking and flexible workspace users
DSE Assessment & Ergonomic Services from Arinite
Arinite provides flexible, proportionate DSE services designed for your workforce and working arrangements:
Individual DSE Workstation Assessments
Comprehensive face-to-face workstation evaluations by competent assessors
Detailed ergonomic checklists covering chair, desk, screen, keyboard, mouse, and environment
Practical adjustment recommendations with clear priorities
Suitable for office-based, shared, and hot-desk workstations
Health-Related DSE Assessments
Specialist assessments for employees with existing musculoskeletal conditions or disabilities
Recommendations for reasonable adjustments under the Equality Act 2010
Liaison with management, HR, and occupational health where required
New & Expectant Mothers DSE Assessments
Pregnancy-specific DSE risk assessments as required by the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999
Workstation and work pattern adjustments as pregnancy progresses
Ongoing review throughout pregnancy and return to work
Home Worker DSE Assessments
Remote DSE assessments using structured questionnaires and photographs
Virtual video assessments or on-site home visits where required
Practical recommendations for home workstation setup, even in limited spaces
Support for hybrid and fully remote teams
Online DSE Self-Assessment & Training
Digital DSE self-assessment questionnaires for large workforces
Online DSE awareness training modules
Centralised records and dashboards for compliance monitoring
DSE Risk Assessor Training
Train internal staff to carry out competent DSE workstation assessments in-house.
DSE Risk Assessor Training Course
Our DSE Risk Assessor Training equips your team to assess workstations confidently, identify ergonomic risks, and recommend practical adjustments — reducing reliance on external assessors.
Course content includes:
Understanding the DSE Regulations 1992 and employer duties
Identifying DSE hazards and risk factors
Practical workstation assessment techniques
Ergonomic principles and good posture guidance
Documenting and communicating findings
Interactive presentation with Q&A throughout
Duration: 2–3 hours (half-day)
Delegates: Up to 15 per session
Common Health Hazards of DSE Work
Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)
Ranging from short-term discomfort to chronic conditions such as tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and repetitive strain injury (RSI). MSDs are the most common occupational health issue for DSE users.
Back Pain & Neck Pain
Poor posture, unsupported seating, incorrect screen height, and prolonged sitting can cause or aggravate back and neck problems — the leading cause of workplace sickness absence in the UK.
Upper Limb Disorders
Repetitive keyboard and mouse use, poor wrist position, and lack of breaks can cause pain, tingling, and weakness in the hands, wrists, arms, and shoulders.
Eye Strain & Visual Fatigue
Extended screen use, poor lighting, screen glare, and incorrect viewing distance can cause eye strain, headaches, blurred vision, and dry eyes. Employers must provide free eye tests on request.
Ergonomics & Workstation Setup
Ergonomics is the science of fitting the workstation to the user — not forcing the user to adapt to a poorly designed workspace.
Poor Posture Risks
Poor posture at DSE workstations can lead to:
Neck strain.and upper back pain
Lower back pain and disc problems
Forearm and wrist discomfort (repetitive strain)
Shoulder tension and headaches
Fatigue, reduced concentration, and increased error rates
Good Ergonomic Posture at a DSE Workstation
A correctly set up DSE workstation promotes comfort, reduces MSD risk, and improves productivity.
Key ergonomic principles:
Adjustable chair with adequate lumbar support
Seat height set so that forearms are approximately horizontal when typing
Feet flat on the floor or on a footrest
No pressure under the thighs or behind the knees
Top of screen at or slightly below eye level to encourage upright head posture
Screen positioned at arm's length distance
Relaxed wrist position — "piano player" posture
Clear space under the desk for leg movement
Adequate lighting — no screen glare or reflections
Who Needs a DSE Assessment?
DSE workstation assessments are required for:
All habitual DSE users — those using DSE for one hour or more daily
Home workers and remote employees using DSE
Hybrid workers moving between office and home
Employees using laptops for prolonged periods without external peripherals
New starters and employees changing workstations
Employees reporting musculoskeletal discomfort, eye strain, or headaches
Pregnant employees — specific pregnancy-related DSE assessments are required
Employees with disabilities or health conditions affecting their workstation use
Why Choose Arinite for DSE Assessments?
IOSH Chartered Health & Safety consultants
Practical, user-friendly DSE assessments — not just tick-box exercises
Full support for office, home, and hybrid workers
Digital self-assessment tools and face-to-face options
DSE risk assessor training to build in-house capability
Clear, HSE-compliant documentation
We focus on real ergonomic improvements and employee health — not just compliance paperwork.
Start With a Free DSE Compliance Review
Not sure if your DSE arrangements meet the requirements of the DSE Regulations 1992?
Book a Free DSE Gap Analysis CallDSE compliance review valued at £750+
The Arinite Transformation™
From Reactive Firefighting to Proactive Health & Safety Compliance
REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)
What It Looks Like:
No formal HSE systems in place. Everything is reactive, waiting for something to go wrong. Documentation is missing or outdated.
Why It's Dangerous:
- ✗£50K-£150K average fine when (not if) HSE inspects
- ✗Can't bid on contracts requiring HSE certification
- ✗One accident away from director prosecution
This isn't just "non-compliant." It's criminally negligent. Directors face personal prosecution.
REACTIVE
(Where 60% of Businesses Operate)
What It Looks Like:
No formal HSE systems in place. Everything is reactive, waiting for something to go wrong. Documentation is missing or outdated.
Why It's Dangerous:
- ✗£50K-£150K average fine when (not if) HSE inspects
- ✗Can't bid on contracts requiring HSE certification
- ✗One accident away from director prosecution
This isn't just "non-compliant." It's criminally negligent. Directors face personal prosecution.
COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)
What It Looks Like:
Basic HSE documentation is in place. Minimum legal requirements met. You can pass a basic audit.
Why It's Better (But Not Enough):
- ✓Legal protection (no fines if inspected)
- ✓Can bid on contracts requiring certification
- ✓Pass basic client audits
- ✗Still reactive (problems arise, then you respond)
- ✗Compliance maintained by one person (bottleneck)
- ✗Systems don't run themselves
Compliance is where most consultants get you, then leave. You're legal, but you're not optimised.
COMPLIANCE
(Where Most Businesses Stop)
What It Looks Like:
Basic HSE documentation is in place. Minimum legal requirements met. You can pass a basic audit.
Why It's Better (But Not Enough):
- ✓Legal protection (no fines if inspected)
- ✓Can bid on contracts requiring certification
- ✓Pass basic client audits
- ✗Still reactive (problems arise, then you respond)
- ✗Compliance maintained by one person (bottleneck)
- ✗Systems don't run themselves
Compliance is where most consultants get you, then leave. You're legal, but you're not optimised.
PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)
What It Looks Like:
Systems run proactively (prevent problems before they occur). Compliance is distributed (not dependent on one person). HSE becomes a competitive advantage, not a cost centre.
Why It's Transformational:
- ✓Win more contracts (HSE certification opens doors)
- ✓Save 20+ hours/week (systems run themselves)
- ✓Peace of mind (sleep soundly, without the fear of prosecution)
- ✓Focus on your core business while we handle compliance
That's why 95%+ of clients renew year after year.
PROACTIVE
(Where Arinite Clients Operate)
What It Looks Like:
Systems run proactively (prevent problems before they occur). Compliance is distributed (not dependent on one person). HSE becomes a competitive advantage, not a cost centre.
Why It's Transformational:
- ✓Win more contracts (HSE certification opens doors)
- ✓Save 20+ hours/week (systems run themselves)
- ✓Peace of mind (sleep soundly, without the fear of prosecution)
- ✓Focus on your core business while we handle compliance
That's why 95%+ of clients renew year after year.
The Arinite Difference:
Other consultants get you to Stage 2 (Compliant) and disappear.
We get you to Stage 3 (Proactive) and keep you there.
That's why we call it transformation, not just compliance.
"We work with you to deliver peace of mind. We tailor our service provision to your business to provide proactive, pragmatic health and safety advice and that helps reduce costs by ensuring compliance with relevant health and safety legislation."
Robert Winsloe
Managing Director
From Hidden Gaps to Compliance
Our proven 3-step system has helped over 1,000 businesses eliminate enforcement risk, pass inspections, and protect directors from personal liability.
No guesswork. No generic templates. No box-ticking.
Free Health and Safety Gap Analysis Call
Identify what's missing before an inspector does.
A focused 30-minute health and safety assessment to expose weaknesses in your current arrangements.
What you get:
→ You leave knowing exactly where you're exposed and what to do about it.
Health and Safety Audit
Turn risk into documented compliance, fast.
We conduct a comprehensive health and safety audit of your workplace and ensure everything inspectors expect to see is in place. This covers risk assessments, workplace safety inspections, health and safety policy documentation, and every gap identified in Step 1.
What's included:
→ You move from exposed to defensible with evidence to prove it.
Outsource Your Health & Safety - The Arinite Partnership
We become your health and safety department. Your competent person. Your compliance team.
No chasing updates. No need to worry about changes in health and safety laws. No need to wonder if you've missed something. You focus on your core day-to-day business, Arinite handle the rest.
What we take ownership of:
→ Compliance handled. Risk controlled. Directors protected.
Why This Works
Most enforcement actions arise from systems being assumed rather than proven.
We don't advise. We don't hand over templates.
We build, implement, and maintain end-to-end health and safety compliance, and when we identify an action item, we proactively pursue and resolve it. That's the difference.
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Free Health & Safety Gap Analysis
30-minute Compliance Call Valued at £750+
What Happens on Your Free Gap Analysis Call:
- 1.30-minute consultation
- 2.We review your current H&S arrangements
- 3.We identify 1-10 critical compliance gaps you're missing
Identify 1+ gaps, or you receive a £50 gift card. Only 20 consultations are available every month.
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