It's important to think about your wellbeing and safety when using DSE.

What Display Screen Equipment (DSE) is

By DSE we mean:

  • desktop computers and monitors
  • keyboards
  • laptops
  • mobile devices, such as tablets and smartphones

How to set up your working area

Before you set up the area you plan to use for home working: 

  • find a suitable space 
  • check for any obvious hazards that can cause you to slip, trip or fall, including trailing leads and cables
  • follow guidance on how to set up your workspace at home, including advice on your recommended sitting position
  • watch a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) video on Temporary working at home – workstation setup
  • look at your DSE self-assessment and risk assessment form to identify any other risks associated with home working
  • see if you need any additional DSE equipment in your home
  • follow our guidance for remote working

If you need additional equipment at home

Don't take any equipment from our offices. If you've already borrowed furniture or equipment and kept it beyond Covid-19 restrictions on office space, your service should continue to keep a log of equipment used to support working at home. 

Line managers are responsible for keeping track of borrowed equipment. Line managers also need to make sure it is still usable.

If you're returning any equipment to the office, let the Workstyles team know. Send an email to workstyles@brighton-hove.gov.uk.

If you need DSE items, your service can order them.

DSE items

Order from

Monitor and HDMI cable, keyboard and mouse

 IT&D on MyServiceHub

 

Office chair (the standard model is Orange Box Being US, black synergy fabric)

Posture People

Non-specialist DSE equipment such as footrests and screen risers

Lyreco 

All other DSE equipment

Posture People

Ordering DSE and delivery

You can order from the Posture People website or phone 0330 332 0880. They can deliver equipment to Brighton & Hove.

Orders from Lyreco and IT&D are delivered to the office and you'll be asked to collect them. Otherwise, you can send an email to premisesteamhelpdesk@brighton-hove.gov.uk to arrange home delivery. Your service will pay for this.

How to use DSE in a safe way

It's important the equipment you're using allows you to work from home in a safe and comfortable way.

Some things to remember:

  • take a few moments at the start of each day to set up your chair and workstation and make sure it's comfortable for you
  • position your equipment as near to your body as possible to avoid stretching and straining your upper limbs
  • take regular breaks from continuous DSE work
  • avoid sitting in an uncomfortable position for long periods of time, change your position often
  • change your focus and blink from time to time to avoid your eyes getting tired
  • if you use a laptop you should copy the set-up and posture recommended by the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), use a separate stand, keyboard and mouse
  • if you use a mobile device like a tablet or smartphone for long periods of time and can't copy the recommended set-up, think about using techniques such as voice input and keyboard shortcuts to reduce typing and take breaks more often
  • we recommend a 2 to 3 minute break every 15 minutes

A 5 to 10 minute break every hour can help. Change your activity by getting up, move around or do stretching exercises. We suggest pregnant workers and staff with long term health issues take DSE rest breaks more often.

Get money off your eye tests and glasses

You need to take good care of your eyes when using any DSE. Make sure you visit an optician for an eye test at least once every 2 years.

We have an arrangement with Vision Express. You can get a voucher for an eye test for £15, plus up to £45 off a pair of glasses. Managers must sign the voucher to authorise its use.

Find out more about the Vision Express offer.

Electrical safety

You're responsible for electrical safety at home including:

If you find any faults or you have any concerns about electricity, stop using your equipment immediately. Send an email to PremisesTeamHelpdesk@brighton-hove.gov.uk or get advice from a registered electrician.

Your DSE setup should only contain electrical equipment that has a current Portable Appliance Test (PAT). It should have a dated PAT sticker or be newly purchased.

You should only use power leads supplied for use with your electrical equipment. Even though a lead may look the same, the fuse rating  might not be compatible with other equipment. Incorrect fusing may lead to the equipment or cable getting damaged.

Remember to check equipment that isn't directly visible, for example if it’s  under a desk, every three months

How to clean work equipment at home

You can include your work DSE equipment in your usual household cleaning routine. There are no rules about how often you need to clean the equipment, so think about what works for your circumstances.

Hard surfaces

To clean most work equipment like desks and chairs, use soap and water or household detergent. Remember to follow the manufacturers' instructions on cleaning products.

Electrical items

How to clean electrical items like your laptop, keyboards, mice, speakers, or webcams.

Make sure they're switched off and disconnect them from the power supply.

If possible, hold the keyboard or laptop upside down and gently shake to remove any debris.

Apply a small amount of soap (liquid or bar soap is fine) to a lightly damp cloth. Squeeze it until it's almost dry and apply light pressure to wipe surfaces. Make sure water does not get into the electrical points.

Wipe again with a lightly damp cloth to remove any soap residue, then dry with a clean cloth.

You can clean monitors, laptops and mobile phone screens  by gently wiping exterior surfaces. Use a 70 to 80 per cent isopropyl alcohol wipe or Clorox disinfecting wipe if you have them.

You can also use a lightly damp lint-free cloth, like the kind you’d clean a pair of glasses with, and some liquid or bar soap. Squeeze the cloth until it's almost dry and apply light pressure to clean the screen device and phone case. 

Remember not to:

  • let electrical equipment come into direct contact with water
  • use abrasive cleaning materials on electrical equipment