Employers ignorant over screen protection

Nearly a third of organisations are unaware of their legal obligations to staff using display screen equipment (DSE) according to research commissioned by PMI Health Group.

The study found that over a quarter (28%) of employers did not know they were responsible for looking after the health of their staff that use DSE.

Over half (53%) of respondents said staff had taken time off work in the last 12 months with musculoskeletal problems, such as repetitive strain injury (RSI), back pain or neck problems.

Physiotherapist Mary Watson said: “Display screen equipment such as computer workstations may often be associated with neck, shoulder, back or arm pains, fatigue and eyestrain.

“The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations were introduced specifically to protect the health of people who work with DSE.”

Taking simple precautions, such as setting up workstations correctly, can have an impact upon employee comfort, productivity and, in some cases, levels of absenteeism.

“For office staff, the most important preventative factors for DSE-related health problems are good sitting posture and regular breaks from DSE usage,” said Watson. “To encourage good posture, regular users should use regular keyboards and screens.”

With the rise in homeworking, she also pointed out that employers should be aware that staff who work from home are also entitled to workstation assessments within their home environments.

www.employeebenefits.co.uk/item/13238/23/5/3