Posted By David Mains Hi, I am looking to issue guidance on the selection and use of laptops within our organisation. I did have some references for info but it appears to have gone awol within my 'filing system'. Can anyone point me in the right direction with regards to documents, websites etc?

Posted By Kinnikin Laptops do not come under the DSE Regs as they are portable devices. However, the Regs go on to say, 'not in prolonged use'. "(4) Nothing in these Regulations shall apply to or in relation to- (a) drivers' cabs or control cabs for vehicles or machinery; (b) display screen equipment on board a means of transport; (c) display screen equipment mainly intended for public operation; (d) portable systems not in prolonged use; (e) calculators, cash registers or any equipment having a small data or measurement display required for direct use of the equipment; or (f) window typewriters." I take this to mean that if the laptops are used most of the time, ie in prolonged use then they do indeed come under the DSE Regs. Hope this helps.

Posted By Ken Taylor If they are issued for 'prolonged use' (eg instead of a normal PC on your desk) they are almost certain to fail to meet the guidance to the DSE Regs with regard to the relative positions and sizes of the screen and keyboard - unless add-ons such as docking devices or additional keyboards are used. Appendix 3 to L26 has some stuff on this.

Posted By Sean Fraser In my previous workplace, the majority of our personnel using computers were using laptops. Since their work involved frequent and sometimes prolonged use of the laptop, I included it in the DSE scenarios including training, and added the oft-neglected point regarding manual handling. As far as I am concerned, this is less to do with whether or not the law requires it and more to do with a practical approach to safety. As laptops begin to be the personal computer of choice due to their portability and equitable cost in relation to PCs of similar capability they will become the larger proportion of the computer hardware market (if they are not already!). The risks involved with PCs are magnified by laptop users since they are not used in a permanently static location that can be adequately assessed. The result is that the DSE assessment will need to be done every time they use it - and if anyone expects an assessment form to be completed each time then they are on a hiding to nothing! Instead, proper instuction and training will ensure that users are adequately aware of the risk potentials and will hopefully apply them whenever they settle down to use the computer, wherever they may be.

Posted By Emma Tyler David if you would like I have a fairly generic policy used by a University in Australia - it's a one-pager. if you have a real interest in finding more Professor Leon Straker from Western Australia has written quite a few articles on laptops. Sorry can't seem to email to you through the site otherwise I would have sent direct. regards, Emma