VDU Assessments

VDU Assessments Ireland

Can We Help with your VDU Assessments?

Our Health and Safety Consultants are experts with the appropriate qualifications and competence in undertaking VDU Assessments.

We observe each user at their workstation which typically takes 20 - 30 minutes per user and provide a comprehensive VDU assessment report.

We offer our tailored services using only trained, skilled and experienced Health and Safety Consultants and Ergonomic assessors with enormous experience in industry, thereby ensuring the highest levels of both professionalism and affordability.

The VDU assessment includes an examination of workplace hazards and risks and appropriate equipment,

Also included in the VDU Assessment is a detailed examination of the surrounding workspace(s) as well as the work station(s) using meters to measure light, temperature, humidity and noise levels and review of the results is also included.

A detailed VDU Assessment report is submitted to your company and the employee is entitled to a copy of this report.

Our VDU Assessment service is available in Dublin and also throughout Ireland.

We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your specific ergonomic requirements and advise on how we can be of assistance.

If our proposal is accepted we can normally arrange a site visit within 5-10 working days. We also endeavour to facilitate any urgent requests where possible.

VDU Assessment Information

What is a VDU Assessment?

A VDU Assessment is an ergonomic assessment of an employees workstation and covers the Visual Display Unit (VDU) as well as the surrounding equipment such as Computer monitor, keyboard, mouse, chair, software and environment.

Are VDU Assessments a legal requirement?

VDU Assessments are a legal requirement for all habitual VDU users under the General Application Regulations 2007. A habitual VDU user is classed as someone who spends 1 or more continuous hours per day at their workstation.

Who should undertake VDU Assessments?

A qualified VDU Assessor should complete the VDU Assessments. Where specific issues or underlying health complaints arise then a more experienced practitioner such as Health and Safety Consultant may be required.

How often should VDU Assessments be undertaken?

VDU Assessments should be undertaken at least every 2 years however the frequency would need to be increased should the employee change workstation or if a particular health compliant arose for example.

Who typically requires a VDU Assessment?

VDU / VDU Assessments are predominantly required in a office environment where users would spend one continuous hour or more per day at their workstation. Certain work environments are exempt and not classed as VDU workstations such as train cabs and supermarket checkouts.

Can employees be allowed to carry out VDU assessments of their own workstations?

It's not acceptable to let an employee use a software packet or other means to assess their own work station. It is the employer's duty to conduct VDU assessments or risk analysis of an employee's workplace.

Should VDU assessments of work stations be documented?

Yes, it's necessary. And the documented VDU assessments should include:

  • A brief but general view of the tasks carried out at the workstation
  • Data or proof showing that all components laid down in Schedule4 were followed as part of the risk assessment
  • Details of action plans to address unresolved issues-identifying the person responsible, what steps need to be taken, and when these actions will be completed
  • Details of the issues that need follow up
  • The employee is entitled to a copy of the completed risk analyses. They also need it for further follow-up as necessary, to ensure that any pending solutions are done

What are the requirements found in Schedule4?

Schedule4 describes the minimum specifications for all Display Screen Equipment that should exist for DSE workstations. When carrying out VDU assessments, the employer must consider the min requirements detailed in Schedule4. This Schedule includes a range of components such as:

  • Visual Display Unit or monitor
  • Work surface or desk
  • Work chair
  • Keyboard
  • Worker's computer interface (the software should be suitable for the task and easy to use)
  • Work environment (lighting, noise, heat and humidity, space requirements, and radiation)

Is a worker who is transferred to another work station entitled to a new VDU Assessment?

Yes. There'll be instances when employees are moved to a new work stations due to changes in work arrangements. The employer is required to conduct new VDU assessments at the employee's new work stations. An existing system should be in place so that when changes like this occur, employees can submit formal requests to have a new VDU assessment done. The evaluation should include any changes in technology and/or equipment.

Do VDU assessments apply to laptops?

The VDU / DSE requirements of Chapt.5 of the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Regulations 2007 do not apply to laptops.

As stated in Regulation 71(d), "this Chapter does not apply to...portable display screen equipment not in prolonged use at a workstation." So it's advised that a laptop be connected to a keyboard and a separate monitor. After it's been set up as such, that's when the work station can be examined to document if it fulfils the conditions found in the Display Screen Equipment Regulation.

Other temporary setups of a laptop work station must be assessed to check the usage of the laptop and to identify potential risks. Note that the user shouldn't work on the laptop directly for long hours.

Are employees entitled to any kind of training if they work with a VDU work station?

It's mandatory for employers to provide training on how to use the work station before any worker starts work on a VDU and in instances when the setup of the workstation is changed. The training should have these:

  • A clear understanding of the computer system to which the VDU is linked
  • Adequate intro instruction. Employees must thoroughly understand how tasks are organized to be able to comply with Chapt.5 of Part2 of the General Application Regulations. This can include a written report of the alterations done to the work station and info on rest and posture breaks. Employees should be notified why the adjustments were made and the benefits of such changes.
  • Orientation on the proper arrangement of screens, furniture, keyboard, lighting, etc., and the fundamentals of ergonomics so as to match individual worker's height, reach, etc. This must also include a good understanding of the use of various adjustments of the work chair and correct positioning of the document holder, mouse, and telephone. If, for example, an employee spends prolonged hours on the phone during a workday, the employer should consider providing them headsets.

We can help with your VDU Assessments

We have vast experience undertaking VDU Assessments and would be delighted to provide a quote.

To enable us provide you with a VDU Assessment quote please provide the following information.

  • Location of your premises
  • Number of employees requiring VDU Assessment.

Please contact us today to discuss your VDU Assessment requirements.

 

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