Display Screen Equipment (DSE) refers to machines with graphic display screens: desktop computers , laptops, iPads and other devices. When you spend the major part of work time in front of a DSE, extra effort is needed to prevent injury and ill-health. A variety of repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) could arise from DSE use like wrist pain, neck pain, shoulder pain or back pain. Eye pain, myopia, blurred vision, headaches and tiredness usually arise from prolonged usage too. Using DSE makes people with eye defects feel it more and since vision becomes a problem as people get older, Display Screen Equipment are a challenge to older people. Also, one in 10,000 of the population suffers from photosensitive epilepsy. People with this condition react adversely to flickering lights and patterns. Therefore anyone who suspects that they may be susceptible should seek medical advice before working on DSE.

In Britain, more than one in five, 22 per cent, of the safety representatives questioned in the 2014 TUC safety representatives’ survey identified DSE as a health and safety hazard in the workplace compared with 26 per cent in 2012. DSE is still a major concern in some sectors: it is the third of the top five concerns in banking, insurance and finance, (55 per cent concerned) and central government (50 per cent), with 40 per cent concerned in energy and water, up from 38 per cent in 2012.

Due to the nature and effect of DSE use on health, a regulation was enforced in order to provide care to employees. The DSE Regulations of 1992 states clearly that employers are to provide access to eye tests and glasses for users. Employers need to ensure that workstation is properly arranged, frequent breaks for staff are available and absence of oppressive surveillance. Despite this regulation, most workplaces do not still conform to standards.

What can be done?

• Adjust the brightness of your screen
• Take regular breaks from the Display Screen Equipment. This means readjusting time for other tasks such that when you are taking a break from the DSE, you can still engage in other work tasks (attending meetings, filing, receiving phone calls).
• Proper arrangement of the workstation also helps reduce this to the barest minimum.

In the case of mobile Display Screen Equipment, take care when using them in dark rooms as they could lead to temporary blindness. It is important to reiterate that positive change requires consistent practice of good habits which will lead to better health of the workforce.

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