Educational guides on how workplace documents fit together — which document is typically completed before another, what is used alongside it and what follows. Connected to workplace forms, checklists and registers. Informational only — not legal advice; employers remain responsible for required documents and compliance.
What documents for display screen equipment means
DSE work is usually supported by a connected set of documents: a workstation assessment for the user, records of adjustments or equipment provided, training and information, and a review where things change. Together they describe how posture, screen and workstation issues are managed for people who use screens regularly.
This page explains, in general educational terms, how these documents relate. It is not an official template and does not determine what your workplace must hold — the employer decides what documentation DSE requires.
The documents in this set
- A DSE workstation assessment for the user.
- Adjustment or equipment-provision records.
- Training and information for the user.
- Home or hybrid workstation considerations where relevant.
- A review when the user, role or equipment changes.
Why these documents connect
The workstation assessment looks at the screen, chair, desk, posture and environment for a specific user; the adjustment records show what was changed or provided; training and information help the user set up and use the workstation; and a review keeps it current when the person, role or equipment changes.
These documents form a chain from assessing a workstation to acting on it and keeping it current. An assessment with no follow-up action, or equipment provided with no assessment, leaves gaps.
The typical sequence
- Required before: a DSE workstation assessment for the user.
- Used with: adjustment or equipment-provision records.
- Used with: training and information for the user.
- Used with: home or hybrid workstation considerations where relevant.
- Completed after: a review when the user, role or equipment changes.
- This is an example chain only — adapt it to the user, workstation and the applicable law.
Who owns each step
- The employer owns the overall arrangements.
- A trained assessor or the user completes the workstation assessment.
- Facilities or IT provide adjustments and equipment.
- The user follows the set-up and reports problems.
- Managers arrange reviews when things change.
Common mistakes
- Assessing the workstation but never acting on the findings.
- No consideration of home or hybrid set-ups.
- No training, so users do not adjust their workstation.
- Never reviewing after a change of role or equipment.
Records and retention (high level)
Employers generally keep the workstation assessments, adjustment records and training records together for the relevant period and afterwards, in line with their obligations and data-protection duties.
This page does not state any required period — confirm retention with the applicable law and the official authority.
Completing and sharing as PDFs
These documents are commonly completed and stored as PDFs so the DSE pack can be kept together for each user. Exporting to PDF supports the record; it does not make any document official or guarantee compliance.
Employer notes
- Act on the findings of workstation assessments.
- Consider home and hybrid set-ups.
- Provide training so users can set up their workstation.
- Review when the user, role or equipment changes.
Worker notes
- Set up your workstation using your training.
- Report discomfort or problems with your set-up.
- Take regular breaks or changes of activity.
- Flag home or hybrid set-up issues to your manager.
Country considerations
Requirements for display screen equipment and workstation assessment vary by country, and the official authority differs. This page is general and high-level — not a statement of any country’s law and not a guarantee that any document is valid.
Confirm current requirements with the official authority for your country and a qualified professional.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing DSE workstations, acting on findings and compliance. This page is an educational overview with template examples; it does not make any workstation compliant and does not transfer responsibility.
Export, edit and share documents
The documents, policies and templates this involves can be exported, edited, signed, stored and shared as PDFs with the HELPERG PDF Editor.
Free, printable HR & employment resources
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