Posted By Derek Moore A question. If you have a number of employees whose job is to monitor the activities of certain mechanical instruments ie gauges and video surveillance equipment for long periods of time and record such activities either by writing this down in a recorded log book or typing the information into a digital system. Are these persons covered by the DSE regulations as regards having the need to have recorded breaks from the activity. It should be noted there have been no complaints from the personnel performing these activities and they do this for up to periods of 6 hours continuous, excusing break for smokes or ablutions

Posted By Derek Moore Thanks Ron This information was given to me by another union rep. No single session at display screen equipment should exceed 90 minutes without a change in activity. Such a session should be followed by a change of not less than 15 minutes. However, shorter sessions are preferable such as 30 minute sessions followed by 5 minutes of change or 60 minute sessions followed by 10 minutes of change. Where a change of activity is not possible, because there is no alternative work, then the breaks must be formal rest breaks. During any break or change of activity, any activity that would demand broadly similar use of the arms or hands to that experienced when working with display screen equipment should be avoided. As a union rep I will be taking this issue up with the industry bodies which are offshore related if it is bona fide. Some how I have my suspicions it is not

Posted By Coshh Assessor 5 minutes per hour is sometimes recommended, the 10 minutes isn't a legal standard. Have a look at the HSE guidance at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdf