A DSE workstation assessment checks how one person sits, sees and works at their computer: whether the chair supports them, the screen is at the right height and distance, the keyboard and mouse can be used with relaxed arms and straight wrists, the light does not glare off the screen, and the day has enough breaks. It ends with a short list of fixes, most of which cost little or nothing. This template can be filled in by the user on their own or with an assessor sitting beside them, at the office or at home. Fill it in here and download a PDF without an account, or speak while you walk, and the document writes itself.
Who counts as a DSE user
In Great Britain, the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 protect people who use a screen daily, for continuous spells of an hour or more. That covers most office, call centre, design and admin staff, and many people in hybrid roles. The equipment can be a desktop, a laptop, a tablet or a smartphone used for work.
For each user, the employer is expected to assess the workstation and reduce the risks it finds, make sure the equipment meets basic standards, plan the work so screen time is broken up, give information and training, and arrange an eye and eyesight test when a user asks for one.
Set the chair first
Almost every other adjustment depends on the chair. Set the seat height so the forearms are roughly level with the desk when the shoulders are relaxed, then check the feet: flat on the floor, or on a footrest if they no longer reach. Adjust the backrest so it fits into the small of the back. Only then raise or lower the screen so the top line of text sits at, or a little below, eye level.
The form follows that order: chair, desk, screen, then keyboard and mouse. A user who fills it in at their own desk will usually fix half the findings while answering the questions.
Laptops and working from home
A laptop forces a choice between a screen that is too low and a keyboard that is too high. For anything more than short spells, it needs a stand or a separate monitor, plus a separate keyboard and mouse. The laptop section opens only for people who use one as their main computer.
Homeworking opens its own section. The same Regulations apply to people who work from home long term, and the checks there are about whether the home set-up gives them what the office desk would: a proper chair, a screen at the right height, enough light, and a way to raise a problem.
Discomfort is the finding that matters most
Aches in the neck, shoulders, back, wrists or hands, eye strain and headaches are the early signs that a workstation or a way of working is wrong. The form asks about them directly and records which parts of the body are affected. Any discomfort the user links to screen work is a finding, and the actions should include a follow-up date to check whether the changes helped.
Common questions
How often should a DSE assessment be done?
When someone starts, when the workstation or equipment changes significantly, when they move desks or begin working from home, and when they report discomfort. Many organisations also repeat it every year or two as a check.
Can staff complete their own DSE assessment?
Yes. A self-assessment is a common and sensible first step, provided the employer reviews the answers, follows up anything marked No, and offers help from a trained assessor where the user cannot fix a problem themselves.
Do employers have to pay for glasses for screen work?
Employers must pay for an eye and eyesight test for a DSE user who asks for one. They must pay for basic glasses only where the test shows they are needed specifically for screen work. Glasses the person needs anyway are not covered.
Does DSE apply to people working from home?
Yes, for people who work from home on a long-term basis. The employer should assess their home workstation, which can be done through a self-assessment like this one, and help with equipment where needed.
How long should screen breaks be?
The Regulations do not set a figure. Short, frequent breaks or changes of task are better than occasional long ones — a few minutes away from the screen every hour or so is a common rule of thumb.
Is a completed DSE assessment proof of compliance?
It records what was checked, what was found and what will be done for one user. Whether the employer has met its duties depends on acting on the findings and reviewing them.