I put a little project together with the IT department and have implemented an online form using the intranet system that sends an email to the user with a link to follow and then be completed by answering a series of tick box questions. The answer will then either flag up an issue which is then investigated further, all non issue completed forms are then stored electronically. Has been succesful so far.

Remember too also include information and instruction relating to working with DSE equipment - along with how to adjust chairs etc. I do this at the email stage sending through details with the form.

There are a few very good companies who provide an online assessment process. I used one and it entailed the individual training on how to undertake the assessment and also gave full supervision of the process from my own desk. Any issues could then be followed up by myself going to the person concerned and going through the aspect and agreeing any corrective measures needed to control the problem. The system worked extremely well and was accepted by every person in the company. Try looking on the internet for companies, but may I suggest Workrite who provide a very good system at a reasonable price, I don't work for them by the way but found them very helpful.

the point is records!

We have been using an annual "on-line"assessment for 4 years now. We have a 85% plus return annually from 375 users, compared with a 10% paper return. Which may be because it is now linked to our payment for eyecare payments, "application for payment could be delayed until an assessment has been completed" seems to work well. We use a set of 36 questions, 3 of which are "trigger questions" which trigger intervention in some way, this year we had a 30% intervention rate which is linked depending on the problems to initiating the user to a DSE refresher training course, which is where I find most of the problems can be discussed and actioned. If the issues are more complex I then am able to concentrate on the few who fall into this category. Usually if the employee is having difficulties they do not tend to wait for the assessment to ask for help, but we have a baseline to ensure compliance. The system is based on a simple tick box and takes each person with an email address less than 5 minutes to complete. Finally a free text box at the end for the grumbles. Basically it works for us

Have a look at openerg.com. Loughborough Uni ergonomics unit, been around for years, free, effective. The HSE suggest users doing self-analysis of their own workstations SHOULD be pre-briefed - in other words, have awareness of what they are generally looking for. The openerg site does have good help but may be a little too overwhelming or distracting. Costs nothing to look. Surely the days of someone (an 'assessor') looking at workers sitting, to fill in a checklist, is well past it's sell-by?

Hi Steve send me your email and I will send you a self assessment questionnaire etc regards Dave