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Display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide

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This Display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide provides clear, practical guidance to help employees create a safe, comfortable and productive workstation, wherever they work.

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Display screen equipment (DSE)

Display screen equipment (DSE) is now an everyday part of work for most employees, whether they are office-based, working from home, or operating in hybrid and mobile roles. When DSE is poorly set up or used for prolonged periods without appropriate breaks, it can contribute to musculoskeletal discomfort, visual fatigue, headaches and reduced productivity.

The impact HR DSE set-up user’s guide has been designed to give employees clear, practical and accessible guidance on how to set up their workstation correctly and develop healthier working habits. It supports both employee wellbeing and employer compliance by translating legal requirements into everyday good practice.

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What this DSE set-up guide covers

The guide provides structured, easy-to-follow guidance that employees can apply immediately, regardless of where they work.

Correct workstation set-up

Employees are guided through the correct adjustment of chairs, desks, screens, keyboards and mice to support a neutral, well-balanced posture. The guide explains how small adjustments — such as screen height, chair support and keyboard positioning — can significantly reduce strain on the neck, shoulders, back and wrists.

Clear visual and written prompts help employees understand what “good” looks like and how to adapt their workstation to suit their own body and tasks.
Lighting, glare and the working environment

The guide addresses common environmental issues that contribute to discomfort and visual fatigue, including poor lighting, screen glare and workspace layout.

Employees are shown how to position screens in relation to windows, manage reflections, balance screen brightness with surrounding light and maintain a tidy workspace to reduce trip and cable hazards. Environmental comfort, including temperature, airflow and noise, is also covered to support sustained concentration and comfort.
Healthy posture, movement and breaks

Good DSE management is not just about equipment — it is also about how work is carried out.

The guide reinforces the importance of:
- Maintaining a relaxed, supported sitting posture
- Avoiding prolonged static positions
- Incorporating regular movement into the working day
Practical guidance is provided on micro-breaks, task variation and longer rest breaks, helping employees understand how regular movement reduces fatigue and supports long-term musculoskeletal health.
Eye care and visual comfort

Prolonged screen use places additional demands on the eyes. The guide includes clear advice on managing visual fatigue, including the use of the 20-20-20 rule, regular blinking and appropriate screen settings.

Employees are also reminded of the importance of reporting persistent eye strain or headaches and of their entitlement to request an eye and eyesight test where DSE use is regular.
Recognising early warning signs

A key strength of the guide is its focus on early intervention. Employees are provided with a clear checklist of common symptoms associated with poor DSE set-up, including:
- Tingling or numbness in the hands or arms
- Neck, shoulder or back pain
- Sore or tired eyes
- Headaches and difficulty concentrating
By encouraging early reporting, the guide helps prevent minor discomfort developing into longer-term injury.

Who should use this guide?

This DSE set-up user’s guide is suitable for a wide range of roles and working arrangements, including:

Office-based employees
Home and hybrid workers
Employees using laptops, monitors or other display screens regularly
Line managers responsible for supporting safe working practices

It is designed to be used alongside DSE risk assessments and training, forming part of a consistent, organisation-wide approach to DSE compliance.

How this guide supports DSE compliance

Providing employees with clear, practical DSE guidance is a key expectation under UK health and safety legislation and supported by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

This guide helps organisations demonstrate that they have:
- Provided information and instruction on safe DSE use
- Taken reasonably practicable steps to reduce foreseeable risks
- Encouraged employees to review their workstation set-up
- Supported safe home and hybrid working arrangements
- Promoted early reporting and intervention
Used consistently, it strengthens an employer’s compliance position and supports a more defensible approach to managing DSE risks.
Best practice for employers using this guide

To maximise the effectiveness of the DSE set-up user’s guide, employers should:
- Issue it as part of employee induction and onboarding
- Share it when employees change roles, locations or equipment
- Use it to support completion of DSE self-assessments
- Encourage employees to review their set-up regularly
- Retain evidence that guidance has been issued
Embedding the guide into everyday processes helps move DSE compliance away from a tick-box exercise and into practical risk management.
Useful Documents

Please find further useful guides on home working in our impact Hub.

Download Homeworking Toolbox Talk

Download Homeworking Checklist

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Your Questions Answered

Everything you need to know about display screen equoment (DSE)

What is the purpose of the display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide?
The display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide is designed to help employees understand how to set up and use their workstation safely. It provides practical guidance to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal discomfort, visual fatigue and work-related upper limb disorders, while supporting employer compliance with DSE legislation.
Who should use the display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide?
The guide is intended for any employee who regularly uses display screen equipment (DSE), including office-based staff, home and hybrid workers, and employees using laptops or monitors as part of their role. It is also a useful reference for line managers supporting DSE compliance.
Does the display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide replace a DSE risk assessment?
No. The display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide does not replace a DSE risk assessment. Instead, it supports the assessment process by helping employees understand how to set up their workstation correctly and recognise when adjustments or further review may be needed.
How should the display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide be used in practice?
The guide should be issued to employees during induction, when equipment or working arrangements change, and as part of ongoing DSE management. Employees should be encouraged to use it alongside their DSE self-assessment and to revisit it if they experience discomfort.
Does the display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide apply to home and hybrid workers?
Yes. The display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide is specifically designed to support office-based, home and hybrid workers. Employer responsibilities under DSE legislation apply regardless of work location, and the guide helps employees manage risks in non-office environments.

What types of display screen equipment (DSE) are covered by the guide?
The guide applies to all common forms of display screen equipment (DSE), including desktop computers, laptops, monitors and associated input devices such as keyboards and mice. The principles also apply to tablet use where screens are used regularly for work.
What should an employee do if they experience discomfort after following the display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide?
If discomfort persists after applying the guidance, the employee should report this in line with their organisation’s DSE procedures. The employer should then review the DSE assessment, make reasonable adjustments and consider further support, such as occupational health advice if needed.
Does the display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide include guidance on breaks and movement?
Yes. The guide includes clear advice on posture, movement and breaks, including the importance of changing position regularly, taking micro-breaks and varying tasks to reduce fatigue and musculoskeletal strain associated with prolonged DSE use.
How does the display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide support legal compliance?
By providing employees with clear information and instruction on safe DSE use, the guide helps employers demonstrate that they have taken reasonably practicable steps to manage DSE risks, as required under UK health and safety legislation and HSE guidance.
How often should employees review the display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide?
Employees should review the guide whenever their workstation, equipment or working arrangements change, or if they experience discomfort. Regular review supports early intervention and helps prevent minor issues from developing into long-term health problems.

Display screen equipment (DSE) set-up user’s guide