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Posted By andy.c.
Good morning all,
Firstly can check i have got the basics of the previous 2 threads correct.
Users can request an eye / eye sight test for which the cost is borne by the employer.
If the test shows that use can temporarily affect sight / health and correction is needed for DSE use only the cost of the correction is again borne by the employer.
If the test discovers a natural deterioration of sight then the cost of correction is borne by the employee.
Finally current thinking is that there is no direct correlation between DSE use and permanent eye damage.
Sorry about that but a learning curve for me, on to the question.
As i believe the DSE regs cover all display screens, i have been told the regs do not cover hand held scanners for picking operations or computer terminals on FLT,s firstly is this correct, I suspect not if i have read the citation 1,(2)a correctly and secondly if they are covered how can i perform dse assessments on something which is handheld
many thanks
Andy
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Posted By Paul Leadbetter
Andy
Check Reg 1(4) which lists exclusions.
Paul
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Posted By Martyn Hendrie
The regulations define a "user" as
"an employee who habitually uses display screen equipment as a significant part of his normal work"
The guidance then goes on to describe
Definite users as people like:
Typists; Data Input operators (e.g call centres); News Editors; Air Traffic Controllers; Graphic Designers; Financial Dealer
Possible Users as people like:
Banks tellers; ; Airline check in operators
Not users as people like:
Receptionists; Managers (who have control over when and for how long they use the equipment)
Hope this helps
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Posted By Kevin Brown
andy c.
Eye and eyesight tests should be provided as soon as possible after the DSE user has made the request, and if there are recruits or employers who are about to move on to DSE work the test should be carried out before they become users.
After the initial test, employees can request additional tests based on the advice of their doctor or optician.
In both cases the employer should bear the cost.
If glasses are needed ONLY to correct vision for DSE use the employer must provide basic specs. If the same prescription is needed for reading then the employee is responsible for bearing the cost. The emphasis here has nothing to do with natural deterioration, temporary or otherwise, it’s about the focus distance in the specs needed to cope with DSE works. (For instance, my reading distance differs significantly from my DSE distance so I’m sitting here at my workstation wearing glasses that are no good to me anywhere else, and which live in my desk drawer. They are essentially tools that enable me to work).
Certain types of DSE are excluded from the Regulations. These include portable systems not in prolonged use (you can move a hand held scanner into your focal length) , window typewriters, drivers cabs or control cabs on vehicles or machinery.
If you’re going to be committing time and resources to DSE risk assessing I recommend getting hold of the HSE guidance booklet “Work with Display Screen Equipment” if you haven’t already got it. Its inexpensive and it forms part of the Six Pack.
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Posted By FAH
Hi Andy
This topic really is generating interest!
We've now slipped into discussing 2 different aspects of DSE on the same thread again - oh well!
The actual UK DSE Regs do not help in defining your organisations particular definition of a "DSE User".
The Guidance in L26 that so many quote so happily cannot be relied upon as that is all it is & Courts will interpret it it in their own way - but that applies to any h&s topic..
For instance, the original HSE guidance suggested that laptops could be ignored; & mobile devices like phones that are mini-laptops weren't even around but are so common now.
To address the topics raised on this thread you must start with the definition of DSE in Reg 1[2][a] and then go to Reg1[2][d] for user - which uses the term "habitually".
Consequently each individual employer should have a robust definition of what they consider to be a DSE "user" and "non-user" in their workplace & it should cover all activities that require employees to work at "any alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of the process involved".
This will include those who might use voice activated devices, sight activated devices any any other process by which the individual interacts with the display screen. I suppose that means that from a legal technical point of view a blind person cannot be a DSE user - but Ill be happy to be corrected.
I always recommend starting from the stand-point that it is normally far more cost-effective to include all as "users" as this immediately removes the potentially very expensive defences that must arise when challenged by someone categorised as a "non-user" but think it's wrong. Even worse if they bring a civil claim as a "non-user"!!!
Frank Hallett
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Posted By andy.c.
Sorry Frank you split this up once and I've started another "double"
just ordered a copy of L26 i think the first area for me is definition of "habitual" and "prolonged". a hand held terminal used every day in 4hr stints seems to me to fall into both categories
Thanks to all for your help
Andy
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Posted By Brando
We use hand scanners and arm mounted scanners.
I work in distrubution at the moment and neither are considered DSE.
They may be worn for a shift but the time "used" is not actually that high. Operatives tend to over estinmated how much time they actaully spend looking at the sceen and pressing the buttons.
I've seen some highly variable company definitions of a "user". One company I worked for said you had to use the equipment ( PC ) for 3 hours each day another 1 hour. Use being data input or looking at the screen - not just having the thing turned on.
Brando
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Posted By safetyamateur
andy, there's been a bunch of unnecessary comment on this stuff which even had me confused.
"If the test shows that use can temporarily affect sight / health and correction is needed for DSE use only the cost of the correction is again borne by the employer.
If the test discovers a natural deterioration of sight then the cost of correction is borne by the employee".
Eyesight can be defective in three ranges (shortrange, intermediate & longrange). DSE use is assocated with Intermediate.
The defect can occur before, during and after DSE use. It's a natural thing in all ranges. DSE doesn't affect this phenomenon.
If a defect is present or current, then the Eye/Eyesight Test can identify it and result in correction (i.e. specs). If the correction is in connection with DSE (i.e. intermediate range) then the employers pays. If it's any other range, it's not the employer's responsibility.
That's that.
As regards defining users, you need the guidance at para 15, Reg 1. I think you'll find being inclusive rather than exclusive will result in te most effective control of risks.
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Posted By Phil Rose Andy - yes users can request an eye / eye sight test for which the employer is obliged to pay for. The provision of corrective specs has nothing NOTHING AT ALL to do with temporary effects on eyesight or natural deterioration. As has been previously stated - the optician/optometrist decides whether 'VDU specs' are required, and this is based on whether the viewing distance falls into the intermediate range. Nothing to do with temporary, natural deterioration etc. If you don't have access to L36, try INDG36 which is a good summary and is FREE on HSE website at http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg36.pdfHope this helps clear up a couple of points Phil
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Posted By Phil Rose
Sorry should have said L26 !
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