Health and safety requirements covering the use of display screen equipment (such as computers and laptops) apply to all employers under the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, which apply in England, Wales and Scotland, and the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1992.

Under these Regulations, known as the DSE Regulations, employers must assess the workstations of employees who regularly use display screen equipment to ensure that specified minimum standards are met. They must also provide employees with adequate breaks from screen work and arrange for them to have eye tests if these are needed.

This factsheet explains what types of work the DSE Regulations cover and the main obligations that employers have under the Regulations. It also briefly summarises employers’ obligations regarding display screen equipment under the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 and the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989.