You are on page 1of 2

Work with Display Screen Equipment

Proposals for Regulations and guidance


Consultative Document
Comments should be sent to:
Health & Safety Executive, HPD A4, Room 520 Baynards House, 1 Chepstow Place, Westbourne Grove,
London W2 4TF
Printed and published by the Health & Safety Executive, 1992
Introduction
1.

This consultative document seeks views on proposals form the Health & Safety Commission
(HSC) for new Regulations and associated guidance on work with display screen equipment.
Drafts of the Regulations and guidance are at Appendices 1 and 2 respectively. The regulations
are intended to implement within Great Britain provisions of European Community Directive
90/270/EEC, reproduced at Appendix 3.

2.

The draft guidance seeks to explain systematically and amplify where necessary the
requirements of each regulation. It will be revised in the light of comments received and then
published using the same format. In addition it is proposed to publish summary guidance setting
out what employers need to do to comply with the regulations without detailed reference to the
regulations themselves. A leaflet for display screen users will also be published. The latter
publications will replace the current HSE publications on VDU's.

The Proposed Regulations


The draft regulations follow closely the provisions of the Directive at Appendix 3 and do not go beyond
its requirements.
All the provisions of the draft regulations are, like the Directive, directed at the protection of employees
who habitually use display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work. Such employees
are defined in the Regulations as "users".
The main requirements are:
Assessment and reduction of Risks
Employers must assess workstations (which include the terminal working environment) to identify
possible risks to users, whether their own or someone else's employees. Any risks identified as a result of
the assessment must be reduced to the lowest extent reasonable practicable.
Minimum requirements for Workstations
General minimum requirements for workstations are specified in the schedule to the Regulations which
reproduces the Annex to the Directive. The requirements apply to workstations first put into service by
the employer after 31 December 1992 and to workstations already in service after 31 December 1996.
The minimum requirements were designed with current typical office VDU work in mind, and are
required to be observed only if not precluded by the inherent requirements or characteristics of the task.
Eye and eyesight tests, and corrective appliances
The Regulations give display screen users an entitlement to eye and eyesight tests. Users are also entitled
to an opthamological examination if tests show this to be necessary, and any corrective appliances ( eg.
spectacles) needed specifically for display screen work. Any costs relating to the tests or corrective
appliances would be borne by employers.

Work breaks, consultation, information, training


Other measures required are the provision of breaks or changes of activity to interrupt display screen
work and information training for users. The requirement in the Directive (Article 8) for consultation and
participation of workers will be covered by the Health & Safety Committees Regulations 1977 as
amended to incorporate relevant provisions of the Framework Directive (89/391/EEC).

Taken from the March,1992 HSE Consultative Document

You might also like