A recent DSE question was asked in relation to a part time CCTV operative and a DSE assessment.
Read the full question and response below.
Question
We have a member of staff who, as part of their duties, occasionally has to operate our CCTV system. Would they come under the definition of a display screen equipment (DSE) user, requiring a DSE assessment?
In the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 and the guidance L26 Work with Display Screen Equipment: Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 as amended by the Heatlh and Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Regulations 2002., “display screen equipment” is defined as any alphanumeric or graphic display screen, regardless of the display process involved.
Screens used in work with television or film pictures are now included in this definition. This point was clarified in a case heard before the European Court of Justice, (ECJ case C-11/99). Based upon the relevant European Directive, the Court held that the idea of “graphic display” includes monitors for replaying film clips, so that work on monitors and the subsequent processing of digitalised film images was covered by the Directive, adopted into UK law.
As such, L26 states that a security control room operative whose main work is to monitor a bank of display screens showing the pictures from CCTV cameras, and operate controls to select, zoom in, etc on particular images, would be deemed to be a DSE user.
However, in this case as the person only periodically has to operate the CCTV equipment, they may not fall within the definition of a user in the DSE Regulations as a worker who uses DSE daily, for at least an hour at a time.
Even if it is decided that the person falls outside the definition, it should be noted that in the introduction to the guidance document L26, the HSE states that where DSE is used, but such use is not covered by the DSE Regulations, the workers concerned are still protected by the Health and Safety at Work, etc Act 1974 and, the general requirements including those in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
It continues by stating that “where a display screen is in use, but the DSE regulations do not apply, the assessment of risks and measures taken to control them should take account of ergonomic factors applicable to DSE work”. As such, it isadvisable to carry out a DSE assessment in this case.
Last reviewed 30 July 2021
