There are so many variables involved in valid assessment of risks associated with display screen equipment that ultimately its effectiveness depends not only on the assessor and the range of equipment but also on the DSE user and the overall health/safety management policy of the organisation involved. This is because of the research that indicates the degree of correlation between work-related stress and MSDs. Surely a competent MSD assessor can work in accordance with guidance on HF/E standards and guidelines (as set out in chapters 1 to 5 of the Handbook of Standards and Guideliens in Ergs and HF, ed Karwowski, CRC Press, 2006) and not simply by the Irish or British DSE Regs interpretations of the EU directive? To compare sets of regulations validly leaves so many open-ended questions about stress that it's well beyond the bounds of what is 'reasonably practicable' to even try. In practice, in the event of litigation, an employee is faced with the challenge of indicating that he/she has informed the employer of hazards and co-operated with all of the employer's attempts to control the risk. In the event that the employer can show evidence of such attempts, it is beyond the bounds of probability that any solicitor familar with litigation about MSDs will spend any time risking their insurance for the time spent on litigation, by issuing proceedings where an employer can show a trail of valid actions to control the risks, whether under the DSE regs in Ireland or the UK. That's my summary of the reasoning I apply when serving as an expert witness in this area

Thank you Kieran - I will look at these publications. Maybe with the advent of Cloud technology the traditional 8 hour working day has,or,is already coming to an end. Movement and regular postural breaks is the key.

Jon There are no DSE Regulations in South of Ireland, we have Chapter 5 of the Safety, Health & Welfare at Work (General Application) Regs 2007. The Regs do not mention one-to-one assessments. We have offices in Dublin and Belfast and use an online training and self assessment. This allows users to "flag" issues or concerns and we follow up with a 1-1 assessment as needed.