Posted By The toecap
I did DSE assessors course and this is the process. But, you must give the user some information and training on what to look for before they self assess. But this is quite simple in that the DSE user must know the basics of chair use, comfort when usinf DSE equipment etc.

Posted By PaulB
Hi Martin,

The self assessment approach is one that is suggested in the HSE's guidance document (para 39). Although I don't feel this is sufficient on its own, we have a trained assessors who will deal with any problems raised and if they cannot deal with the problem this is then referred to our OH advisers for their input. All computers users are provided with information on how to carry out the assessment and we also run an office safety training course which explains this further.

Cheers

Paul

Posted By Rob Jones
It was my understanding that requiring users to read the HSE guidance on DSE and then providing them with the HSE DSE questionarie is satisfactory.

Once the user has completed the form then all form s should be read by an assessor or H&S officer at which point any responses which are negative would be picked up and an assessor would then visit the workstaion and user and disscuss the problem and look at solutions.

If there was concen over the level of understanding taht a user had from reading the HSE leaflet, then would a quick test show that the user had understood the leaflet/guidance?

RJ

Posted By The toecap
Well i wasn't rying to suggest that the self assessment approach was the answer. Perhaps a presentation as to what they ought to look for and why. I would suggest that there is a duty to do it but, (don't bite my head off here) surely there are greater risks that DSE assessing. I and a constuction safety bod and i have greater risks with a whole host of working at height issues. You may need a light metre and other instruments to do the job properly.

Posted By AlisonM
Toecap,

While I agree there are industries where the risk to the individual is probably much greater, there are still risks associated with DSE work. For example - MSDs, stress and the impact that can have on the physical, behavioural, cognitive and emotional wellbeing of the individual and eye strain to name but 3 issues that have been linked to DSE use.

While this might not kill you [though stress may make you suicidal so we can't rule it out completely!]. These issue can have a detrimental impact on an organisation leading to sickness absence, low staff morale, high turnover of staff etc..so employers have a legal duty to conduct a "suitable and sufficient" risk assessment for those working with computer equipment.

While self assessment is often seen as a way to speed up the process, it relies on the individual completing the form honestly and herein lies one of the problems. The person may say everything is fine with their workstation but lean forward to view the information presented or stretch their arm to use the mouse. The software can't "see" what the person is doing so must take as red the answers provided. I've completed 100's of assessments [including ones where the person has pre-completed the questionnaire] and there is usually at least one question completed incorrectly. Most common - does the backrest adjust? [answer no - when I have a look, it does but the user didn't know it could...answer yes, but it's far too low to provide any support].

Personally I'd use the self assessment as a training package then undertake individual assessments to check what they have said to be on the safe side.

Posted By Paul Parry
My approach which seems to work is this:

1. Full DSE (workstation) assessment and training... on arrival.

2. On review (if no significant issues noted on initial assessment)send out self assessment questionnaire's but offer the option for an individual assessment if staff are not confident or happy(full assessment again as 1).

3. Review self assessments to check if they differ from previous assessment and again complete as 1 if required (significant differences or concerns).

DSE (workstation) assessments initially should train as well as assess, and our self assessment questionnaire's are pretty much self explanatory and also contain 4 main pictogram's of desired posture / viewing distances etc.

Seems to work pretty well for us.

Paul

Posted By Mike
Our system is:

All staff subject to DSE use a self-assessment software tool lasting about 1 hour with a scored "exam" at the end. If they raise any issues in the self-assessment a trained assessor will visit to decide corrective action, but they can ask for an assessor at any time for any reason. Both direct line managers and the safety function monitor the process and the scores. I should emphasise that the role of the direct line manager is important in our system because of their personal knowledge of the individual and their suitability for self-assessment.

Perhaps we could do more but I don't think we have to. It's proportionate and meets HSE requirements.

Posted By Pete Baker
Hi Martin,

My organisation also utilise self assessments for DSE. There is an annual requirement for all DSE users to undertake the assessment but it is accompanied by an explicit assessment form with pictures and the DSE Policy. I was also concerned over ensuring that we applied a suitable and sufficient approach to the risks associated to the use of DSE equipment and the work station so I instigated a review process for each assessment undertaken. The way this works is that trained DSE assessors are responsible for overseeing the self assessments within their departments and should there be any discrepancies, the assessor comes to me (H&S Manager) for guidance and a decision on what I feel is suitable for resolving the issue. I am happy to share my self assessment form if you feel that it might be beneficial to you.

Regards

Pete