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Employers have a legal obligation to protect the health and safety of their employees and other people who might be affected by what they do. This section is intended to be used as a resource to inform & educate employers about these obligations, and provide access to useful information & resources.

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations

Surveys have found that high proportions of DSE workers report aches, pains or eye discomfort. Mostly these conditions do not indicate any serious ill health, but it makes sense to avoid them as far as possible. The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations aim to protect the health of people who work with DSE. The Regulations were introduced because DSE has become one of the commonest kinds of work equipment.

  • The law on VDUs: An easy guide. This publication is aimed at employers who need to comply with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992. It is a practical guide on what employers need to do to comply with the Regulations if they have ordinary office VDUs such as computer screens. It gives a seven step guide on what to do to prevent ill health, which can be caused by work with VDUs, such as upper limb disorders or RSI; backache; fatigue and stress; and eye strain.
  • Work with display screen equipment. Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 (amended 2002) This revised legal publication gives detailed and comprehensive guidance about work with display screen equipment or VDUs. It describes what to do to comply with the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992.

Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Resources

The UK Health and Safety Executive produces a range of useful & informative leaflets and information packs with advice on DSE and VDU use issues. We have made these resources available to you:

  • Working with VDUs. This leaflet is a guide for people who work with visual display units (VDUs), and their employers.
  • Aching arms (or RSI) in small businesses. This booklet is designed to help employers and managers in small businesses to understand Upper Limb Disorders (ULDs), which are often called 'RSI' (repetitive strain injury).
  • Display equipment user top tips. Advice for computer users, regarding correct adjustment of monitor and correct posture.

Does your workforce require DSE training?

Copyright notice: The articles featured on this page are provided for information purposes only. They have been produced by, and remain the copyright of, the UK Health and Safety Executive.

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