The advert depicting a woman attending an online meeting on her sofa has been label as “irresponsible” by many due to the lack of consideration to her posture with no workstation or additional equipment. The British Safety Council have stated it “shows a complete lack of understanding around health and safety” and “Government advert risks legitimising poor practice, the costs of which ultimately end up on the NHS”.
By law, all businesses whose employees regularly use DSE as a significant part of their role are required to comply with the ‘Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992’. Employers must:
- Analyse workstations to assess and reduce risks.
- Make sure controls are in place.
- Provide information and training.
- Provide eye and eyesight tests on request, and special spectacles if needed.
- Review the assessment when the user or DSE setup changes.
To learn more about the risks associated with poor posture. Read our blog on Musculoskeletal Disorders
