Regulation

Digital Compliance, Accessibility and Inclusion. It’s More than Ergonomics.

Why do you need to be Display Screen Equipment (DSE) compliant?

Because it’s the law.

If you have employees – either working from home or in the office, and they work with a digital display screen as part of their normal working day, and /or continuously for more than an hour a day, you must ensure that their work area is set up correctly to minimise risk.

You need to ensure compliance with UK DSE Regulations 1992.

These regulations have been specifically designed to reduce the risks of back pain, RSI, musculoskeletal pain, screen/visual fatigue and stress.

Why is accessibility important?

Because around 40% of the population has a disability of some kind. 

2018 – 2020 saw the introduction of new DSE guidelines, WCAG 2.1 and ISO 30071.1.  These new guidelines deal with accessibility and minimising risk.

While accessibility is not legislated under DSE regulations, it is considered inclusive within disability and accessibility regulations, therefore it will not be uncommon to see more injury/disability claims “resulting from any omission” under the ADA or UK Equality Act.

Not having digital accessibility could be leaving the employee at increased risk of injury or disability, and the employer at risk from a lawsuit.

2019 saw over 2000 lawsuits filed against companies in the USA for lack of DSE compliance and accessibility. That’s more than five a day. (Source – 2019 ADA Web Accessibility Lawsuit Recap Report).

Screen Fatigue/Computer Vision Syndrome is the most common injury associated with screen use. 58% of UK screen users are estimated to suffer from this.  Screen Fatigue affects all performance factors: visual stamina, reaction time and the stability of 3D vision and problem-solving abilities.

Accessibility in the workplace

Look also at the wellness factor of compliance and accessibility; your staff will feel better, there’ll be no aching necks, sore eyes, blurred vision, taking time off or presenteeism. And this all ties in with productivity.

Being compliant means your staff can read the screens easier, quicker, are less prone to screen fatigue and you may gain back that 20% lost production every week that screen fatigue causes.

Request a demo to see how our patented technology can help your business.

If you need to understand more about DSE compliance, we have an entire legal/compliance section, including FAQ’s to help you navigate this important area.

 

Watch our explainer video below – it’s just over 4 minutes long and explains Computer Vision Syndrome, also known as Screen Fatigue.

 

 

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