Hi all I am currently handing out DSE assessment forms in my work. If for example a colleague answers no to having a foot rest but their knee goes below the waist, which I am sure would justify the need for one, but they do not want one. DO I have to put my employer through the expense of buying them one, even though they dont need it but they have said they have not got one on the assessment. Do I have to act on any discrepancies? If I have not lost you could you lend some advice Thanks

Ryan what makes you believe that the knees must be at waist level? I would find that rather uncomfortable as my waist is above my rear end and to have to use a foot rest to achieve that position would soon make me stop using the foot rest (therefore a waste of money buying one). Lee is going a bit to legalistic for the problem in hand I'm afraid. There are many different suppliers who can advise on DSE assessment processes, perhaps you need to ask them about this situation, Can you adjust the desk to ensure correct posture of someone who may not be as tall as others and of course can you ensure the desk is high enough for those who are taller than others. Some people may like having thier legs lower than horizontal although that could cause some problems. The legal side of things will probably simply say you must comply with the DSE Regulations and get you no where. Common sense is the key to this problem (if there is one)/

Completely agree with Kurdziel. Also, don't forget that posture is an individual issue and no 2 people are exactly the same. When we moved to new offices we bought 350 new seats and facilities were a little surprised that I then purchased 6 different seats following DSE assessments, but these were following one to one assessments which showed that the individuals could not gain a comfortable posture using the seating provided.

No, If you have provided guidance and training on the correct use of the workstation and the client has stated that he or she dosent require a footrest, make a note of it on the form and ask the client to sign to confirm. This records the findings and provides protection should a claim come along.

:) - this is a nice emotive topic Too much yoga sees me sitting with crossed legs - ARGHGHHHHHHHHHHH if I am assessing that one. Give me a footrest if you like, I'll just slide it back (that's where 90% of the ones I issue go) On a serious note - disclaimers mean nothing in UK law so be very cautious with their use. I do however get employees to sign to say they have a) been trained in how to sit at their desk and look after their posture b) been given the correct equipment c) know how to raise problems etc.. Posture is a very personal thing and I always say - wrong posture is ONLY OK if it's deliberate (note both me and Chris make an active Choice!) My concern is that I suffer from a back issue - If I was to sit in a classic pose when it is bad I would be unable to walk by the end of the day!!!! if I sit crossed legged it gets better.... deliberate choice, but I understand my body. However if I have employee slumped in a chair because they can't be bothered to engage stomach muscles or use the footrest - should I challenge this? Where is line... is it Friday yet? Good luck :)

I have to agree with Chris.Packham, I also wear varifocal lenses which causes me pain in the neck when spending long periods of time at my desk. I have to have my work station set with the screen quite low, which from time to time can cause comments within the office as it does look as though I do not practice what I preach. I do have an other question though, how often should a DSE assessments be carried out, other than when the workstation has been moved or altered in any way?

If they don't want one don't force them. Write on the form that they have stated that they don't want one and get them to sign it. State on the form that if they want one at a later date they will inform you in writing and leave it at that.

Hi Zyggy, Just to clarify, I wear these lenses because I am a Laboratory Technician, If I was to wear single vision lenses I would spend more time trying to find the correct pair for the work I am doing, which may be looking through microscopes, reading documents, filling in paperwork or working on my laptop. mmmmmmmmmm I would look like a walking advert for an opticians. :)

Firstly I tend to agree with Bob S, I don’t see that a knee being below the waist height is some sort of automatic criteria for having or needing a footrest. I personally find a slightly downward angle for my upper leg more comfortable and have been sitting like that for years with no apparent ill effect. You don’t need to go about WS assessments with a spirit level, protractor etc. We are all different and I think that people need to adopt a number of different postures over the course of a working day to be comfortable. I would also agree that the majority of foot rests do appear to be ‘abandoned’ underneath desks with few people using them. I have also found people using them when they don’t need to and actually creating a ‘stress’ point at their hip joint, which has lead to them suffering from LBP etc, I certainly don’t see that that there is any need, necessity or significant advantage for a ‘waiver’ or ‘disclaimer’; nor do I think that it is appropriate in this case to do so. That has all the makings of a DM ‘elf and safety gone mad’ article. However, re #9, I don’t believe that it is the case that “..disclaimers mean nothing in UK..”. Some disclaimers are perfectly reasonable, acceptable, valid and ‘enforceable’ at law; many are not for various reasons, often unfair contract terms act 1977. That isn’t to say that all disclaimers are worthless. The use of this site for example are subject to terms of use and a liability disclaimer http://www.iosh.co.uk/te...f_use.aspx#Liabilitydisc

As the regulations and our old friend, common sense, make clear, you do not have to set up a workstation in accordance with a fixed layout which then might cause someone have to have a crick in the neck or otherwise suffer discomfort. Are there really DSE assessors out there who would prefer to set up a ‘correct’ workstation which causes more problems rather than trying to make people more comfortable with a workstation that does not conform to the diagram in the nice HSE booklet?

Hi Bubbz, The reason I have decided to hand them out is because there has been a couple of queries regarding the assessment, the previous QHSE advisor handed them out every twelve months (the next one is due 13/06, I have looked at the past DSE assessments and there has been no action on any of them. People have said no to having a footrest yet they still dont have one, my main worry is that the absence of the footrest is now recorded but no remedial action has been taken. I have had a meeting with all the office staff and explained to them all the hazards and effects of a poorly laid out workstation, WRULD's etc...., there are signs and posters also. I would just like to know, as a disclaimer does not seem to be the way to go, am I better off providing a footrest, despite the cost to my employer. That way if they don't use it then my employer, along with myself are covered. Thanks all for the replies