At Home DSE Assessment

The DSE assessment aimed to:

1. Identify ergonomic risks associated with Karen’s home office.
2. Provide recommendations to minimise the risk of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), eye strain, and other related issues.
3. Ensure compliance with DSE regulations and promote health and productivity.

Step 1: Pre-Assessment Preparation

Prior to the in-person visit, Karen filled out a self-assessment checklist to provide initial information about her workstation setup, working habits, and any physical discomfort she had experienced. This allowed the assessor to be prepared and focus on areas of concern during the visit.

Karen noted the following key issues:

• She worked from a laptop placed directly on an old table without an external monitor.
• Her chair was a standard dining chair without adjustable features.
• She tended to work for extended periods without taking breaks.
• She regularly experienced eye strain after long periods of working.

Step 2: In-Person DSE Assessment

The DSE assessor visited Karen’s home to conduct a thorough evaluation of her working environment. This included a physical inspection of her setup, observation of her posture and working habits, and a detailed conversation about the discomfort she had been experiencing.

Key Findings:

• Laptop Use: Karen’s laptop was placed flat on her table, forcing her to hunch over while working. This poor posture contributed to her neck and back discomfort.
• Chair: Karen’s chair was a basic dining chair with no lumbar support or adjustability, leading to strain in her lower back and shoulders.
• Monitor Height: The laptop screen was significantly below eye level, causing her to tilt her head downward for long periods, leading to neck strain.
• Keyboard and Mouse: Karen was using the laptop keyboard and touchpad, which caused awkward wrist positions and potential strain in her forearms.
• Lighting: The room had inadequate natural light during late afternoon hours, and the overhead lighting was insufficient for prolonged computer use, contributing to her eye strain.
• Breaks and Movement: Karen was working for long stretches without taking regular breaks, and she had minimal movement throughout the day, which compounded her discomfort.

Step 3: Recommendations

Following the in-person assessment, the DSE assessor provided the following recommendations to improve Karen’s workstation ergonomics and reduce her discomfort:

1. Laptop Stand and External Monitor:
   • Laptop Stand: The assessor recommended using a laptop stand to raise the screen to eye level, which would prevent Karen from hunching over and straining her neck.
   • External Monitor: For longer tasks, Karen was advised to use an external monitor set at eye level. This would allow her to work more comfortably and reduce eye strain.
2. Ergonomic Chair:
   • The assessor recommended replacing the dining chair with an ergonomic office chair that had adjustable height, lumbar support, and a cushioned seat. This would help Karen maintain proper posture and alleviate back and shoulder discomfort.
3. External Keyboard and Mouse:
   • The assessor suggested using an external keyboard and mouse so Karen could position them at a comfortable distance and height. This would allow her to keep her wrists in a neutral position, avoiding strain from prolonged use of the laptop’s built-in keyboard and touchpad.
4. Desk Setup:
   • The dining table could still be used as a desk, but the assessor recommended ensuring it was at the right height for Karen’s arms to remain parallel to the floor while typing. If the table was too high, Karen was advised to use a footrest to maintain a comfortable 90-degree angle at her knees.
5. Lighting and Screen Glare:
   • The assessor suggested repositioning the desk to benefit from natural light without causing glare on the screen. Additionally, a desk lamp with adjustable brightness was recommended to improve lighting conditions during the late afternoon and evening, reducing eye strain.
6. Breaks and Movement:
   • The assessor emphasised the importance of taking regular breaks, advising Karen to follow the 20-20-20 rule: every 20 minutes, look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds to reduce eye strain. Karen was also encouraged to stand and stretch at least once an hour to improve circulation and prevent muscle stiffness.
7. Screen Settings:
   • Adjusting the screen brightness, contrast, and font size on her laptop and monitor would further help reduce eye strain and make working more comfortable.

Step 4: Implementation

Karen’s employer provided a budget to purchase the recommended ergonomic equipment, including an adjustable chair, laptop stand, external monitor, keyboard, and mouse. She also rearranged her home office to optimise the lighting and working conditions.

Step 5: Follow-Up Visit

Six weeks after the initial assessment, the DSE assessor returned to Karen’s home for a follow-up visit. During this assessment, Karen reported significant improvements in her comfort. Her neck and back pain had diminished, and she no longer experienced eye strain or wrist discomfort. Karen had also developed healthier working habits, taking more frequent breaks and stretching regularly throughout the day.

The assessor confirmed that Karen’s new ergonomic setup was working effectively, and no further changes were necessary.

“The assessor took time to discuss my medical history and ongoing problems. She talked me through the importance of having my workstation, computer and chair set up correctly and, how I could improve my working environment. It’s made a huge difference, and I cannot thank the Centric team enough. ”

Karen Jones

Conclusion

This case study highlights the importance of conducting in-person DSE assessments for home workers to address ergonomic risks and prevent discomfort. By visiting Karen’s home and observing her working conditions firsthand, the DSE assessor was able to make tailored recommendations that improved her physical well-being, reduced the risk of musculoskeletal disorders, and enhanced her productivity. This proactive approach ensures that employers comply with DSE regulations while promoting the health and comfort of remote employees like Karen.