Sight Tests and DSE Risk Assessment

Guidance and DSE checklist

The latest form for carrying out a DSE Assessment can be found by following this Link to the DSE checklist (Word Document)

The current guidance on Display Screen Equipment from the SHE Section can be seen by following this Link to the DSE Guidance document

Practical DSE Advice - Online

Please try this online DSE assessment tool from Learning Link - Link to Learning link Website.

DSE Eyesight test procedure

An employee wishing to have a sight test must ask their line manager/head of dept to contact the SHE Section (nominations may be made via email to Karen Herd in the SHE section.  mailto:ksherd@uclan.ac.uk) and confirm in writing they are a DSE user and forward their most recent DSE Risk Assessment. This would normally be someone that uses the DSE for 1 hour or more, at least every other day, for further details please see the Definitions below or follow the link to the DSE Guidance at the top of the page.

The SHE Section will then forward a the appropiate University's opticians form directly to the nominated DSE user.

The DSE user must arrange a sight test with the University's nominated opticians, at a time that is convenient to themselves and their line manager if during work time. The DSE user must remember to take their DSE sight test form with them to their appointment. The optician will then complete this form and return it to the SHE Section for payment. Staff should retain the top copy and forward this to the SHE Section if they need to purchase special appliances (see below).

DSE users who attend another opticians will have to pay for the sight test and any special corrective appliances themselves unless they are a mobility impaired DSE user, in which case they may attend an opticians of their choice. If you are a mobility impaired DSE user wishing to have a sight test with another opticians, please contact the SHE Section before you make an appointment.

If DSE users are prescribed special corrective appliances specifically for DSE use, they may be purchased from any optician of their choice. The DSE user must retain their receipt and forward it to the SHE Section plus the top copy of their opticians form. The SHE Section will make a contribution up to, but not exceeding £50.00.

Please note that it is the responsibility of the DSE user to keep any prescriptions from their eye sight test and to record their recommended re-test date

The SHE Section will not accept liability for costs arising from negligent loss or damage to corrective appliances provided to the DSE User in relation to this Procedure.

Definitions

1. In accordance with the Health & Safety (Display Screen Equipment - DSE) Regulations 1992, a member of staff is classified as a User if four or more of the following criteria apply:

the member of staff :
-depends on the use of DSE to do their job, as alternative means are not readily available for achieving the same results; -
- has no discretion as to use or non-use of the DSE
- needs significant training / or skills for use of the DSE
- normally uses the DSE for periods of one hour or more, at least every other day
- undertakes tasks requiring fast transfer of information to/from the DSE
- has to adopt high levels of attention and concentration due to the performance requirements of the system, for example, where the consequences of an error may be critical.

2. "Appropriate eye & eye sight tests" as referred to in the DSE Regulations means a "sight test" as defined in the Opticians Act 1989. This test includes a test of vision and an examination of the eye, and takes into account the nature of the DSE Users work.

3. As defined in the Guidance to the Regulations, "special" corrective appliances are appliances prescribed to correct vision defects at the viewing distances used specifically for the display screen work concerned. If DSE User wears or requires spectacles for other work and use e.g. reading, writing, driving, watching TV, and these spectacles are suitable for DSE work as well, the University does not have to pay for them (ref. Health & Safety Executive; HS(G)90; VDUs an easy guide to the regulations).

Risk Assessment/Checklist

1. The principal risks associated with DSE work relate to physical muskuloskeletal problems, visual fatigue and mental stress. As in other types of work, ill health can result from poor work organisation, working environment, job design or posture. These are not unique to display screen work nor an inevitable consequence of it, and can be prevented all together.

2. The Health & Safety Executive state that there is no reliable evidence that work with display screen equipment causes any permanent damage to eyes or eyesight, but it may make users with pre-existing vision defects more aware of them. This and/or poor working conditions may give some users temporary visual fatigue or headaches. Uncorrected vision defects can make work at display screens more tiring or stressful, and correcting defects can improve comfort and performance.

3. Information provided by users is an essential part of a risk assessment, and a useful way of obtaining this is through the assessment checklist. The SHE Section will provide assistance and training when requested.