Posted By Paul Leadbetter John According to the HSE guidance L26 (page 5 para 6), screens used mainly to show television or film pictures are not included in the definition of display screen equipment. Regards Paul Leadbetter

Posted By Paul Leadbetter John L26 is a priced publication and so it is not directly available on the Internet but you may be able to get a copy through HSE Direct (but I don't have a web address, I'm afraid). However, even where the DSE Regs do not apply, risk assessments must still be done (under the Management Regs) and the workstation layout you have described may be judged to be a risk to employees' health and safety. Where that is the case, suitable steps should be taken to reduce the risk. I hope this helps Paul Leadbetter

Posted By John Ridd I have been asked a similar question because the control room staff felt they needed eye tests and glasses, but the employers refused on the basis discussed in the previous messages. However, the requirement for an assessment is clearly there, and you have already identified risks - in my view this requires the employer to take action - so far as is reasonably practicable. Provision of a suitably (ergonomically) designed control panel with screens at appropirate heights/distances/angles does not seem an unreasonable requirement for workers spending so long in front of screens; although, it must be said, that the expense of changing things might be substantial (and possibly said to be 'not reasonably practicable'). In the case I dealt with, the staff also had to operate touch screens and input text on some of the monitors in front of them and so a sound argument for coming within the DSE Regs could be made. Much of their problem was in fact caused by the overhead lighting reflecting in the screens preventing them from seeing properly what they were employed to do!! (The lighting, for what it's worth, was Cat 2 .) Bad back and neck postures are also a significant problem and suitable seating ought to be a 'must', but do get some proper advice before purchasing - there's a lot of rubbish talked about chairs and the supposed advantages of different features.

Posted By Nick Higginson John, The Workplace (Health, Safety & Welfare) Regs 1992 also lay down requirements with regards to workstations and seating. Regards, Nick

Posted By T. Fowler John My advice would be to avoid using the DSE Regs as your primary focus. For me the Workplace Regs, PUWER and the PPE Regs applied alongside the general requirements of the Management Regs are more than adequate and the DSE Regs are unnecessary and clumsy. Why we still have them I do not know. The Abrasive Wheels Regs have been rovolked and their general requirements made under PUWER. The same thing could have been done for DSE. You may know that the HSE have just issued their proposals for the Health and Safety (Miscellaneous Ammendments) Regs. These ammendments include changes to the DSE Regs that try to get over the vexed question of who is and is not a 'user' by requiring all workstations to be adequate. A move in the right direction but, in my opinion, cosmetic surgery to improve the lot of a very sick piece of legislation. You are not the first to struggle with the question of who is and who is not a 'user'. My approach is to take a very conservative line so that we don't get onto the slippery slope of buying glasses for everyone, whilst at the same time ensuring that ALL workstations and working arrangements of people using them are adequate. Best of luck Tony

Posted By John Haywood Thanks for all your input. Based on what I have read in this forum, I shall be reading the regs mentioned. I have to confess to not knowing about PUWER regs until it was mentioned here - so what chance has your average employee got of knowing his/her rights? I will still keep monitoring this thread for additional comments but, once again, thank you all for your help!