Working with Display Screen Equipment (DSE) — Open Awards Vocationally-Related Qualification Business Administration Revision
This element focuses on understanding and mitigating health and safety risks associated with prolonged display screen equipment (DSE) use, including keyboa
Topic Synopsis
This element focuses on understanding and mitigating health and safety risks associated with prolonged display screen equipment (DSE) use, including keyboards. Learners must demonstrate knowledge of ergonomic principles for arranging furniture and equipment to minimise physical strain, and how to organise a workstation to avoid awkward movements and repetitive strain injury. Practical application involves conducting DSE assessments and adjusting workstations to meet individual needs.
Key Concepts & Core Principles
- Home row keys: The foundation of touch typing – fingers rest on ASDF for the left hand and JKL; for the right hand.
- Correct finger placement: Each finger is responsible for specific keys, minimising movement and increasing speed.
- Keyboard layout: Understanding the QWERTY layout and the location of letters, numbers, and punctuation.
- Typing posture: Sitting upright with feet flat, wrists straight, and eyes on the screen to avoid strain.
- Speed and accuracy: Balancing speed with precision; aiming for 20 wpm with 90% accuracy for Level 1.
Exam Tips & Revision Strategies
- When answering questions on risks, always link each risk to a specific control measure to demonstrate comprehensive understanding.
- Memorise the ideal height ranges and angles for key furniture items; use diagrams if allowed in written assignments to support explanations.
- For practical assessments, verbalise each adjustment as you make it, explaining why it reduces risk, to show assessors your reasoning.
- Remember that short, frequent breaks away from the screen are more beneficial than longer, less frequent ones—mention this when discussing controls.
- Use correct terminology such as ‘repetitive strain injury’, ‘display screen equipment’, and ‘ergonomic’ to convey professional knowledge.
Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing health risks (e.g., RSI) with workplace controls (e.g., taking breaks).
- Assuming that DSE risks are only physical, overlooking issues like eye strain or mental stress.
- Believing that once a workstation is set up, it never needs readjustment; failing to consider that adjustments should be user-specific and reviewed periodically.
- Misunderstanding correct chair height: thinking feet flat on floor is the only requirement, while thigh position and seat tilt are also crucial.
- Placing the screen too high or too low, not aligning with the ‘top of screen at eye level’ rule, or ignoring distance from eyes.
- Neglecting personal responsibility by thinking that DSE safety is solely the employer’s duty, without recognising the user’s role in reporting problems and using equipment correctly.
Examiner Marking Points
- Award credit for accurately identifying at least three health risks from DSE use, such as eye strain, repetitive strain injury (RSI), back pain, and stress.
- Award credit for clearly outlining workplace controls, e.g., DSE risk assessments, provision of adjustable furniture, regular breaks, and eye tests.
- Award credit for stating personal responsibilities, including following safe working procedures, reporting issues, and using equipment as trained.
- Award credit for correctly identifying recommended heights for chairs (seat height adjustable so thighs are horizontal), desks (allowing clearance for legs), screens (top of screen at or slightly below eye level), and keyboards (allowing wrists to remain flat).
- Award credit for describing how to adjust seat height, chair arms, desk/table height, screen height, and keyboard position/angle to suit individual needs.
- Award credit for explaining how to organise the workstation to prevent awkward movements, repeated stretching, and minimise RSI risks, such as positioning frequently used items within easy reach.