You are what you repeatedly do
The benefits of DSE assessments might not be a subject that gets your heart beating faster. However, you would be foolish not to take advantage of regulations that, for once, work in your favour.
On this occasion, Health and Safety haven’t gone mad! You are sitting at your desk for up to 50% of your waking hours. If you compromise your posture for long periods of time it can cause a lot of problems. As Aristotle wisely said, ‘you are what you repeatedly do’.
Or in this case, your body reflects how you use it most often.
Benefits of DSE
What is DSE?
DSE is the abbreviation of the term Display Screen Equipment. It is a phrase that refers to the types of equipment you use regularly in an office environment. These include computer display screens as well as laptops, touch-screens and other similar devices. Health and Safety regulations were introduced in 1992. Although these new guidelines put the onus on employers, they are put in place to safeguard you, the employee.
What are the benefits of DSE regulation?
Firstly, a key feature of the regulation is that it entitles you to regular breaks. The guidelines encourage you to take regular, short breaks. For example, it suggests that a 5-minute break every 30 minutes is optimum.
A short break that incorporates movement will get the blood flowing again. As you might expect, this is good for your cardiovascular health.
However, it is also good for your cerebrovascular health. In other words, it’s good for your mind and will allow you to function and concentrate better at work.
So that should keep you and your boss happy!
And there’s more
What is more, as part of a workstation assessment, you can have the style and layout of the text on your display screen adjusted.
This process should ensure that you reduce glare from the screen. This can be instrumental in minimising the headaches, or even migraines, you might get from sustained exposure to your screen.
It should also ensure that the text size suits you and that there is no jittering of the characters on the screen. In fact, the regulations incorporate a multitude of factors that can make life at your desk more tolerable.
These include assessments of your office furniture, the office environment and the ways in which your keyboard is set up.
By taking advantage of the benefits of DSE you will be on your way to preventing a number of potential health issues.
Look into ways that DSE can help you. These safeguards might prevent tiredness, eye strain and chronic conditions such as repetitive strain injury.
If you would like to know more, we have trained staff that can carry out DSE risk assessments at your offices.
We hope this information is useful for you. If you have any questions about our treatments, please contact us. You can find us in Mill Hill Broadway and Islington. If you like this blog, please share! We are always happy to help.
