DSE Workstation Assessments
DSE solutions you can trust
We offer you our three solutions:
Standard DSE Workstation Assessments
Advanced DSE Workstation Assessments
Maternity Workstation Assessments
We DO NOT sell DSE accessories, furniture or chairs.
Our assessments are presented to you with no ulterior motives or 'must have' shopping lists.
Quality Assessors You Can Trust
Our assessors attend your DSE users place of work and risk assess those members of staff that you have identified as users or operators under the DSE regulation.
We pride ourselves on having DSE Risk Assessors with extensive knowledge of human anatomy. You can be confident that your DSE users will receive a quality risk assessment and also sound advice on how to help avoid becoming unwell as a result of using their DSE equipment.
Our Workstation Assessments address ...
- Posture. Our assessors will evaluate your user's posture to help improve their general well being and comfort levels.
- Chair. Guidance will be offered to the user showing how their chair should be adjusted to suit their personal requirements.
- Monitor (Display Screen). Our assessors will recommend correct height, distance and viewing angle of the monitor whilst exploring the users' views on text size, contrast, brightness, readability, glare and flicker etc.
- Keyboard. Bad keyboard use may lead to ailments of the wrist and hand. Our assessors will advise on good keyboard practise including position, tilt and readability etc.
- Mouse. Incorrect mouse use can lead to hand, wrist and forearm complaints. Our assessors recommend ways for improved mouse use, if required.
- Software. Poor software or inadequate software training can lead to user frustration and/or increased stress in the workplace. Your users will be questioned to ensure they are happy with the software they are using.
- Furniture. We often find that the user's workspace can be inundated with unnecessary clutter that does not aid their ability to complete their work place tasks. Further more cable trip hazards can lead to serious consequences for both you and your staff. Our assessor will explore the workstation layout and recommend improvements to help reduce hazards and increase efficiency.
- Environment. On our many assessments we have discovered that heating and lighting, glare and noise can be contentious issues and difficult to solve with so many differing staff needs and opinions. Our assessors will do their best to recommend strategies to the relevant personnel on how to tackle this problem.
- General items. Your user will be asked if there are any issues not covered by the assessment for example, existing aches and pains (MSD, RSI, ULD etc), regular breaks, eyesight, home working or hot desking. Our assessors will make recommendations on what the employer can best do to address these issues.
Advanced Workstation Assessments
We DO NOT sell DSE accessories, furniture or chairs.
Our assessments are presented to you with no ulterior motives or 'must have' shopping lists.
For users with existing physical ailments, for example, Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) , Musculo Skeletal Disorders (MSD), Upper Limb Disorder (ULD), back pain discomfort and/or keyboard and mouse related pain, we recommend our Advanced DSE Workstation Assessment.
As you would expect, this service is dedicated to those who are looking for something special.
Our Advanced DSE Workstation Assessments (ADSE) includes our standard DSE Workstation Assessment plus the following:
Our assessor will spend between 60 to 90 minutes with your employee (DSE user) and evaluate possible ailments and identify levels of discomfort at their workstation.
The report will highlight the symptoms discovered during the assessment. A number of specific recommendations for equipment, accessories and postural information designed to help improve comfort levels and decrease pain and/or discomfort will be made.
Summary
- A summary of points and actions the employer has to take is listed on each user's assessment form.
- Our internet based DSE software can optionally be used to pre assess your users. In this case we only need carry out one to one assessments on those DSE users whose online DSE assessment reports a need to visit the user. Using this method, you will have access to online reporting, removing the need to compile manual summaries.
Maternity Workstation Assessments
What we offer:
Workstation assessments for pregnant workers.
This (up to one hour) assessment is designed to ensure your company is complying with the HSE regulations and helps to ensure the pregnant worker has both an ergonomically sound and safe environment to work in until maternity leave.
Our Maternity Workstation Assessment comprises of a standard Workstation Assessment whilst paying particular attention to the following:
- Introduction and explanation of the procedures for the maternity workers immediate and future needs, including work routines and changing tasks throughout the maternity period.
- Posture: Addressing the employees existing and changing posture at the workstation offering tips and advice on changing work routines and tasks management throughout the pregnancy for better long term physical comfort.
- Workstation Suitability: Display Screen Equipment, keyboard & mouse use, desk height and desk space management.
- Chair: Assessing, assisting and advising user on how to best use and adjust their chair throughout the maternity period.
- Environment, heating, ventilation, cabling, hazardous substances and clear safe access to and from the workstation.
- Laptop use and discussion about using correct accessories.
- Bound Report: The assessment will include a list of observations/actions taken by the assessor and advice on any future actions that both employer and the employee need to consider throughout the pregnancy.
Typical assessors reference below:
"John has just left, thanks for sending a very knowledgeable and proficient chap. A good course put over in an interesting way, well done to him". Assistant Health and Safety Adviser - Dorset Fire and Rescue Service
The Law and employers obligations
There are specific laws which require employers to protect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers.
The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 (MHSW) include regulations that protect the health and safety of new and expectant mothers who work. Under the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, if an employer fails to protect the health and safety of their pregnant workers, it is automatically considered sex discrimination. The regulations cover female employees who are, or in the future could be, a new or expectant mother. In other words, women of childbearing age who are or in the future could be pregnant, have given birth within the previous six months, or are breastfeeding. Sourced from HSE Website.
HSE case
On notifying her employer of pregnancy, a sales worker was given extra work and put under pressure to exceed her sales targets prior to going on maternity leave. The pregnant worker suffered a miscarriage and was signed off from work due to stress.
The employer was taken to an Employment Tribunal where the judgement found that they were in breach of health and safety legislation for not conducting a specific risk assessment. They were also found to be in breach of the Sex Discrimination Act and the Employment Rights Acts. Much time and expense could have been saved if the employer had conducted a risk assessment. Sourced from HSE Website
FAQ's
Do I have to be pregnant before my employer takes action to protect my health and safety?
No. Your employer is required to conduct a risk assessment for his/her employees, which should also include any specific risks to females of childbearing age who could become pregnant and any risks to new and expectant mothers.
Do I have to tell my employer that I am pregnant or that I am a new mother?
While you do not have to inform your employer that you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is important (for you and your child’s health and safety protection) that you provide them with written notification as early as possible. Until your employer has received written notification from you, they are not obliged to take any action other than those resulting from the risk assessment for all their employees. Your employer can also ask for a certificate from your GP or your midwife showing that you are pregnant.
What sort of risks might I be exposed to?
You may be at risk from different physical, biological, and chemical agents, working conditions and processes. These risks will vary depending on your health, and at different stages of your pregnancy. Your employer will be doing a specific risk assessment. You will be asked to help with this and it is important that any advice you have received from your doctor or midwife, that could impact on the assessment, is passed on to your employer. Some of the more common risks might be:
- Lifting/carrying of heavy loads.
- Standing or sitting for long lengths of time.
- Exposure to infectious diseases.
- Exposure to lead.
- Work-related stress.
- Workstations and posture.
- Exposure to radioactive material.
- Threat of violence in the workplace.
- Long working hours.
- Excessively noisy workplaces.
I have pregnancy-related medical conditions (e.g. high blood pressure, history of miscarriages etc.). How does this affect the risk assessment my employer has to carry out?
Your employer must take into account, during your specific risk assessment, any medical advice from your GP or midwife about your health and adjust your working conditions accordingly.<
Does the risk assessment get repeated as my pregnancy progresses?
Yes. Your employer should regularly monitor and review any assessment made to take into account possible risks that may occur at different stages of your pregnancy.
Am I entitled to more frequent rest breaks?
Yes. You will need to agree timing and frequency of rest breaks with your employer as part of your specific risk.
How much time can I take off to go to antenatal appointments?
There is no set limit to how much time you can take off. You are entitle to time off with pay to keep appointments for antenatal care made on the advice of your GP, midwife or health visitor. Apart from your first appointment you must provide, if requested, an appointment card or some other document showing that an appointment has been made. More information on this can be found in DTI’s guidance on maternity rights.
All FAQ’s above have been sourced from the HSE web site and are sourced from the following booklet: A guide for new and expectant mother who work HSG122 ISBN 0 7176 2583 4.
Further reading
Management of health and safety at work. Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Approved Code of Practice and guidance L21 (Second edition) HSE Books 2000 ISBN 0 7176 2488 9 Workplace health, safety and welfare. Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992. Approved Code of Practice L24 HSE Books 1992 ISBN 0 7176 0413 6 Five steps to risk assessment Leaflet INDG163(rev1) HSE Books 1998 ISBN 0 7176 1565 0).
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