Health and Safety Legislation requires employers to prevent employees being exposed to the risks from using DSE equipment. By carrying out a risk assessment and taking action on the points below employers can reduce the risk of workers developing a work related upper limb disorder.
The law does not specify the length and frequency of DSE work breaks. Employers must consider the work staff are doing. A break from DSE work 5 to 10 minutes every hour is better than 20 minutes every 2 hours. Ideally, users should be able to choose when to take breaks from DSE work. It is usually possible to stop DSE work to carry out other tasks such as attending meetings, making phone calls or other administrative work. If there are no natural changes of activity in a job, employers should plan rest breaks. Breaks or changes of activity should allow users to get up from their workstations and move around, or at least stretch and change posture.
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