This guide is maintained as a current resource for September 2026 and covers only the laws of England and Wales. Information is for general guidance, not legal advice. Consult a qualified solicitor for advice specific to your situation.
Learn how employers in England and Wales must comply with the Display Screen Equipment Regulations, including workstation assessments, risk reduction, breaks, training and eye tests, to protect employees from health risks associated with prolonged screen use.
Employers have a legal duty to protect workers who use display screen equipment (DSE) - such as computers, laptops, tablets and similar devices - from health risks associated with prolonged screen work. These duties arise under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (as amended), supported by guidance from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). Compliance helps prevent musculoskeletal discomfort, visual fatigue and stress symptoms in employees, and reduces the risk of workplace claims or enforcement action. This article explains what the regulations require and how employers can meet their obligations step by step.
What Are the Display Screen Equipment Regulations?
The Display Screen Equipment Regulations 1992 apply when employees use DSE daily for continuous periods of an hour or more as part of their job. Those workers are classified as DSE users. The rules do not apply to infrequent or short‑term use.
The regulations aim to ensure that DSE workstations and practices do not create predictable health risks. Risks include neck, shoulder, back or upper limb pain; eye strain; fatigue; and psychological stress resulting from poorly designed equipment or work patterns.
Who Is a DSE User?
A DSE user is someone who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work - typically daily use in sessions of an hour or more. The regulations also cover:
- employees working at fixed office workstations
- home workers and hybrid workers where DSE use is regular
- mobile workers who use laptops or tablets on a regular basis
Where usage is infrequent, the regulations do not apply, though general health and safety duties still do.
Key Employer Obligations
1. Identify Who Is Covered
Employers should first determine which roles involve sufficient DSE use to fall within the regulations. This ensures that duties such as risk assessment and training are targeted appropriately.
2. Carry Out DSE Workstation Risk Assessments
A central requirement is a DSE workstation assessment for each user. This involves evaluating:
- the workstation setup (desk, chair, screen, keyboard, mouse, etc.)
- ergonomic factors such as posture, reach distances and adjustability
- environmental conditions like lighting, glare and noise
- job demands and work patterns
Assessments must be carried out before regular DSE work begins and updated when:
- a new workstation is provided
- a new user starts work
- the workstation or role changes
- a user reports pain or discomfort
Written records of assessments are advisable, especially for organisations with five or more employees, as these support compliance and defence against claims.
3. Reduce Risks Identified by Assessments
Once risks are identified, employers must take practical steps to reduce them so far as is reasonably practicable. Measures may include:
- adjusting chair height and position
- providing suitable footrests or monitor stands
- ensuring desks are at correct heights
- improving lighting or reducing glare
- encouraging posture changes and breaks
Employers should consider individual needs, including adjustments for users with disabilities or specific health conditions.
4. Plan Work Patterns and Breaks
The regulations require employers to plan DSE work so that regular breaks or changes of activity interrupt extended use. This reduces the likelihood of discomfort and supports overall wellbeing. Breaks can be short periods away from screens or engagement in different tasks that reduce static posture.
5. Provide Information and Training
Employers must give DSE users information and training on:
- safe use of display screen equipment
- correct ergonomic setup and posture
- risks associated with prolonged screen use
- how to report discomfort or request a reassessment
Information can be delivered in written form, through online materials, or in face‑to‑face training, and should be tailored to the specific work environment and equipment used.
6. Provide Eye and Eyesight Tests
If a DSE user requests an eye and eyesight test, the employer must arrange one at no cost to the employee. If the test indicates that corrective spectacles are needed specifically for DSE work, the employer must provide appropriate spectacles or contribute towards their cost.
Practical Steps for Compliance
Write and Implement DSE Policies
Develop clear workplace policies that:
- explain how DSE assessments will be conducted
- outline training and break‑planning procedures
- describe how to report discomfort or request a test
Policies help set expectations and demonstrate consistent compliance.
Use Standardised Assessment Tools
Employers can use checklists or ergonomic assessment tools to standardise DSE risk assessment across workstations. These tools help ensure that all relevant factors - such as desk layout and environmental conditions - are considered.
Monitor and Review
DSE assessments and associated controls should be reviewed regularly, especially when technology, roles or workspace arrangements change, or when users report health concerns. Employers should keep records of assessments, controls and follow‑up actions.
Responsibilities of DSE Users
Although the primary legal duties rest with employers, DSE users also have responsibilities as part of general health and safety law. Users should:
- Use equipment and furniture provided as instructed
- Take regular breaks or change activities as recommended
- Adjust workstations where possible within guidance
- Report any pain, discomfort or vision concerns promptly
Co‑operation helps employers maintain a safer workplace and supports early intervention if issues arise.
Common Questions
Does every employee need a DSE assessment?
The regulations apply only to employees who use DSE daily and for continuous periods of one hour or more. Infrequent or short‑duration users are not covered, though general health and safety duties still apply.
How often should assessments be updated?
Assessments should be updated whenever a workstation changes, a new user starts, or a user reports discomfort. Regular review as part of health and safety management is good practice.
Is there a specific break duration required?
The regulations do not set fixed break lengths; employers must plan work so that regular rest or activity changes reduce prolonged DSE exposure and support wellbeing.
Key Takeaways
To comply with the Display Screen Equipment Regulations, employers must assess workstations for risks, reduce identified hazards through ergonomic setup and work planning, provide information, training and breaks, arrange eye and eyesight tests on request, and monitor changes. These steps protect employees from discomfort and health risks associated with prolonged screen use and form part of employers' broader duties under UK health and safety law.
