About DSE Risk Assessments
The MESH approach is to spend time with each individual user in order to complete the assessment while ensuring that the individual is fully trained in how to set up their workstation correctly. Each DSE risk assessment is followed up with an individual written report that enables management to understand whether improvements are required.
In our experience staff are usually unaware of the effects of poor workstation set-up on their health and often disregard aches and pains. Some may get aches and pains in their hands, wrists, arms, neck, shoulders or back, especially after long periods of uninterrupted DSE work. These are usually referred to as work-related upper limb disorders and if not addressed can sometimes lead to more persistent pain or even disabling injuries.
In fact, what many employers ignore is that an estimated two million people suffer from ill health that is thought to be work-related. A significantly high proportion being related to musculoskeletal disorders (e.g. upper limb or back problems). Many of these subsequently turn into claims against the employer through civil actions.
As employers you need to be asking:
- Is there regular use of display screens as a significant part of the work in your workplace?
- Does anyone use a keyboard, mouse or other input device? Are people complaining of discomfort, aches and pains?
The Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations require you to carry out specific risk assessments in which you will need to:
- analyse workstations, and assess and reduce risks;
- ensure workstations meet minimum requirements;
- plan VDU work so that staff have breaks or changes of activity;
- provide eye and eyesight tests for VDU users who request them, and provide spectacles if special ones are needed; and
- provide health and safety training and information for VDU users.
Results you should expect
When your staff are regularly using Display Screen Equipment you need to have the confidence that the right equipment is in place and that staff know how to use the equipment in a manner that will not damage their health. Did you know that RSI is a reportable disease under the RIDDOR regulations? Clearly, one of the biggest causes of RSI is working with a badly set up workstation.
Working with MESH you can be fully assured that the DSE assessments produced will identify the necessary improvements to prevent your staff from developing potentially long-term debilitating (and sometimes financially costly) health problems that would have a negative impact on your business. Our DSE risk assessments will ensure full compliance with the DSE regulations.
MESH Consultants have used our extensive experience in DSE risk assessments to ensure peace of mind for clients in a wide range of industries throughout the UK.
Featured Case Study
Client: Modem Media
Sector: Information Technology Design
I would highly recommend the approach MESH took in completing our ergonomic assessments, as feedback from staff was excellent!
Jade Kerr
Facilities Manager
MESH has recently undertaken a series of ergonomic workstation assessments for Modem Media, a London based design company. The work undertaken has both assisted the company to understand improvements that it needs to introduce and provided staff with one to one training on how to set up their own workstations. Some staff had previously complained of varying degrees of discomfort and the improvements advised have greatly improved the situation for a number of them.
Your Options
MESH can offer a range of DSE risk assessment options to organisations throughout the UK:
1. We undertake full individual DSE assessments for your staff, which includes workstation setup training and individual DSE assessment reports.
2. We can train persons within your organisation to undertake DSE risk assessments.
3. We can assist larger organisations to identify an appropriate online DSE training and risk assessment package and provide both administrative support and detailed follow-on assessments for staff who have been identified as being at risk.
What we provide is legislative DSE compliance, which, when adhered to, will keep the HSE from your door.
Costs
Costs of DSE risk assessments vary depending on the numbers of assessments to be carried out. These costs will typically reduce for larger numbers of assessments undertaken within the same location.
As a guideline, fees for work recently undertaken have ranged from as little as £29.75 per workstation which will include individual assessments and training of each individual in how to set up and use their workstation, plus supporting documented DSE risk assessment for each individual.
Our pricing is very competitive but we don't compromise on quality and you can be assured that our assessments will prove to be a benefit to your business. We would expect you to shop around for quotations but would encourage you to check what level of service is being provided. Ask yourself whether you getting an assessment and training for your staff that will make a long-term difference to their health and the health of your business. If in any doubt, please do contact us without obligation.
Where we work
MESH carry out DSE Risk Assessments for companies in a diverse range of industries throughout the UK.
Our Head Office is in Kent, with regional offices located in London, The Home Counties, The Midlands, and The North East.
