Educational guidance on how workplace induction and safety instruction generally work — connected to workplace safety, occupations, industries, employment documents and company types. Informational only — not certified training, not an official qualification and not a substitute for mandatory workplace instruction; employers remain responsible for required training, competence and authorisation.
What this instruction covers
This page outlines, in general educational terms, the safety information around display screen equipment (DSE) — the discomfort and strain that prolonged screen work can cause, how a workstation should be set up, and the value of posture, breaks and eye care.
It is awareness material, not training. The employer must assess each DSE user’s workstation and make adjustments; this page does not deliver or replace that.
The hazards
- Prolonged, poorly set-up screen work can cause aches and musculoskeletal discomfort in the neck, shoulders, back and wrists.
- Static postures and repetitive movements add to the strain over time.
- Screen glare, poor lighting and long unbroken sessions can cause eye strain and tiredness.
- Stress and fatigue can make these effects worse.
Who needs it
- Workers who use display screen equipment as a significant part of their job.
- Office, administrative, control-room and remote or home workers.
- Supervisors who arrange workstations and DSE assessments.
- New starters and anyone whose workstation or equipment changes.
The safe system of work
- Set the chair so feet are supported, thighs roughly horizontal and the lower back supported.
- Position the screen about an arm’s length away, top of the screen roughly at eye level, and square on to avoid twisting.
- Keep the keyboard and mouse close, forearms roughly horizontal and wrists straight, with documents and phone within easy reach.
- Take regular short breaks or change activity to avoid long unbroken periods at the screen.
Required equipment & controls
- An adjustable chair and, where needed, a footrest, document holder or separate keyboard and mouse.
- A screen at a suitable height — with a riser or separate monitor for laptop users working for long periods.
- Lighting and screen position arranged to reduce glare and reflections.
- Workstation adjustments and equipment provided on the basis of the employer’s DSE assessment.
Pre-use & pre-task checks
- Check the chair, screen, keyboard and mouse are adjusted to suit you before a long session.
- Check the screen is clear, glare-free and at a comfortable height and distance.
- Check there is room to work without twisting or overreaching.
- Adjust your set-up, or report it, if you cannot get comfortable.
What this instruction does and does not cover
- It covers general principles of setting up and using a workstation comfortably.
- It does not replace the individual DSE assessment the employer should provide for users.
- It does not provide eye tests or prescribe equipment, which follow from the employer’s arrangements.
- Follow your employer’s DSE assessment and adjustments for your own workstation.
What to do if something is wrong / reporting
- Report aches, strain or discomfort early rather than working through them.
- Report a workstation you cannot set up comfortably or equipment that is unsuitable.
- Ask about a DSE assessment and any eye test arrangements you may be entitled to.
- Follow the site’s reporting route so adjustments can be made.
Training & competence
Employers are generally expected to assess DSE users’ workstations, reduce the risks, provide information and instruction on good set-up, and offer eye tests to users on request, with breaks or changes of activity built into the work.
Instruction such as this page is information, not competence. Reading it does not replace the individual DSE assessment and adjustments the employer must provide.
Documentation
- The DSE workstation assessment for each user.
- Records of adjustments, equipment provided and any actions agreed.
- Records of information and instruction given to users.
- A record documents what was done; it is not, by itself, proof of a safe workstation.
Common mistakes
- Working for long periods on a laptop with no riser or separate keyboard and mouse.
- Sitting in a poorly adjusted chair with no back or foot support.
- Never taking breaks or changing posture during long screen sessions.
- Working through aches and strain instead of reporting them.
Who is responsible
The employer is responsible for assessing DSE users’ workstations, reducing the risks, providing suitable equipment and instruction, offering eye tests on request, and keeping records. This page is an educational outline only.
It does not deliver an assessment, satisfy any legal requirement, or transfer the employer’s responsibility for safe display screen work.
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