Our increasing reliance on display screen equipment (DSE) can put your employees at risk of more physical and mental health issues than you might have realised. These risks include the risk of injury, mental stress, and emotional burnout, and each of them requires long-term, sustainable solutions and management in order to keep your team safe.
From prevention to treatment and rehabilitation, in this blog post, we’re exploring what health challenges DSE usage could present to your workforce and how you can stop them from hindering your organisation’s health and productivity.
The Main Risks of DSE Work
The primary risks of prolonged DSE work are as follows:
- Musculoskeletal Disorders: DSE work frequently triggers musculoskeletal issues, ranging from back pain to upper limb disorders (ULDs). These are some of the most prevalent forms of occupational ill health and affect over a million people every year. In a nutshell, the sedentary nature of DSE tasks can cause problems with posture, leading to numerous physical issues. While compliance with regulations and adherence to ergonomic principles can mitigate these risks, the sheer number of DSE workers necessitates an ongoing and dynamic approach towards health management to keep these kinds of risks in check. For help with ergonomics in your workplace, take a look at the services we offer here.
- Fatigue and Stress: Stress, if left unaddressed, can lead to physical and mental health issues, such as exhaustion, burnout, or anxiety. Managing psychosocial risks, providing training for managers, and actively involving your team in managing their mental and emotional wellbeing are all crucial steps in minimising stress-related problems.
- Eye Issues: While DSE use doesn’t cause permanent damage to the eyes, visual symptoms may arise as a result of frequent use. Factors like screen positioning, lighting, and legibility play a key role in DSE user safety. Uncorrected vision defects can also contribute towards overall fatigue and stress, underlining the importance of regular eye check-ups. It is important for workstations to be set up ergonomically, as optimal positioning and lighting are essential in mitigating the risk of negative eyesight effects.
Why Proactive Action is Vital
- Scale of Impact: The sheer number of DSE workers means that even low risks on an individual level can translate to a significant number of health cases across a single workplace. Proactive measures are not just recommended but imperative to avoid widespread health issues.
- Cost-Effectivity: Tackling health risks in your workplace is not only a legal requirement but a strategic investment. Improving your team’s health can lead to reduced sickness absences, improved performance, and less compensation claims, making it a cost-effective approach for employers.
Additional Health Considerations in the DSE Landscape
There are some other, more minor risks that individuals may face or be apprehensive about when working with DSE:
- Epilepsy: DSE work has not been linked to inducing epileptic seizures. Individuals with photosensitive epilepsy can safely engage in normal DSE tasks, but seeking advice is recommended for personalised guidance.
- Facial Dermatitis: Rare reports of facial skin complaints among DSE users may be associated with environmental factors.
- Electromagnetic Radiation: Anxiety surrounding radiation emissions is widespread. However, scientists have proved that the levels of radiation generated by typical DSE are far below the threshold of concern. Nonetheless, some employees may feel apprehensive about this and should be provided with further information if desired.
Principles of a Comprehensive Prevention Strategy
In order to prevent DSE-related injury and illness, employers should focus on the following essential measures:
- Compliance with DSE Regulations: Creating a successful strategy that helps combat DSE-related health issues in your workplace is essential in ensuring compliance with DSE laws. Continuous monitoring and early intervention are paramount to ongoing risk reduction.
- The 7-Stage Risk Reduction Approach: Just 7 simple steps can help you defend your workplace from the health issues associated with prolonged DSE use. These 7 steps include:
- Exploring and improving your understanding of the DSE issues affecting your team.
- Creating the right organisational environment in which to tackle these issues.
- Conducting risk assessments.
- Implementing risk reduction methods.
- Educating your workforce on DSE risks.
- Managing any health issues caused by DSE.
- Completing regular checks to ensure long-term safety for your team.
OFI provides detailed Display Screen Equipment risk assessments and assessor training, either online or in person. To learn more about how we can help you ensure the well-being of your employees, refer to our DSE services here.
Treatment and Rehabilitation of DSE Health Issues
An employer’s approach towards treating DSE-related health issues should focus on:
- Early Detection and Management: Encouraging early reporting of symptoms is essential. Establishing a supportive working culture that emphasises the benefits of early detection is vital. This includes providing appropriate advice, reassurance, and referrals to health professionals when needed.
- Return to Work Strategies: For those affected, modifying the job or workstation, gradual reintegration, alternative work arrangements, and providing advice and support all contribute towards effective rehabilitation. Regular reviews ensure ongoing programme effectiveness and secure, high levels of employee well-being.
- Provide Guidance: Employers should provide advice to users who report symptoms. The advice itself should be dependent on the specifics of the situation but could include providing reassurance, offering guidance on potential risk factors, and collaboratively redesigning the individual’s work tasks to better support their physical and mental health. Employers should also refer workers to medical professionals for further guidance if necessary.
The same support should always be provided to individuals working from home, especially given the rise in remote working. Every employee’s wellbeing is important, whether working from an office or the comfort of their own space.
OFI provides bespoke consultancy services to help you with prevention measures to ensure the safety of your workers. We also offer DSE assessments for home workers! Delve deeper into our services here.
In Summary
By proactively addressing the health risks associated with DSE work, you’ll not only fulfil regulatory obligations but also create a healthier, more productive workplace. Implementing preventative measures, effective treatment strategies, and ongoing rehabilitation reflects a commitment to employee well-being that will also create a more supportive, trusting working atmosphere where employees know that you’re there to support them and their health in every way possible.
