Onsite & remote DSE/VDU assessments
DSE workstation assessments
Specialist ergonomic advice to improve comfort, reduce workstation risks and support your organisation’s DSE responsibilities.
01 / Delivery
Where do your people work?
One office, home workstations or a distributed team. We scope the service around your workforce.
Onsite
At your workplace
An assessor attends your workplace and reviews each employee’s setup. Timing depends on the workstation and issues identified.
Remote
From home or remotely
An assessor-led MS Teams session, approximately 30 minutes. Employees can join through their browser without installing Teams.
Mixed
Across a hybrid team
Combine onsite and remote appointments within one programme, with coordinated booking and organisation-level reporting.
02 / What you receive
Clear findings.
Practical next steps.
Each assessment creates a written record of the workstation, the issues identified and the actions to follow up. Your team can see what needs attention and take it forward.
- For the employee
- A consultation, workstation review and practical recommendations.
- For the organisation
- Employee self-booking, assessment reports and organisation-level management through your portal.
- For follow-up
- A documented action plan. The employer assigns, completes and reviews outstanding actions.
Example action record
From observation
to a useful action.
Observation
Glare on the screen from a nearby window.
Recommended action
Review the screen position and available blinds with the employee.
Assigned to
Workplace manager
Next step
Review after adjustment
03 / Your programme
From first enquiry to follow-up.
- 01
Scope the programme
Tell us how many employees need a DSE assessment, their locations and whether you need onsite, remote or mixed delivery.
- 02
Receive a quotation
We provide a quotation and available assessment dates based on the agreed scope.
- 03
Set up booking and reporting
We provide a one-hour onboarding session for your organisation portal, dashboard and employee booking process.
- 04
Assess, report and follow up
Employees book suitable slots. Assessments are completed and reports record findings and actions for follow-up.
What happens during an employee’s assessment?
Consult the employee
Review the employee's tasks, screen-use pattern, workstation setup and any relevant concerns or reported symptoms.
Observe the workstation
Assess the employee and workstation against the Schedule 4 minimum requirements and the work actually being performed.
Document findings and actions
Record the findings and create a corrective-action plan with a responsible owner and target date for each outstanding item.
Review and close actions
Review implementation, record completion and arrange further assessment where changes or unresolved issues make it necessary.
04 / Expertise & answers
A specialist service,
with someone to talk to.
The DSE service is led by Lisa Thomas, Managing Director at Usafety, with coordinated delivery for employers across Ireland.
Meet Lisa Thomas →Planning your budget
Pricing depends on employee numbers, delivery format, locations, reporting and follow-up requirements. Your quotation confirms the scope before booking.
Common questions
What is a DSE assessment?
A DSE assessment is a structured analysis of an employee's workstation, equipment and screen-based work. It considers the screen, keyboard and input devices, chair, work surface, immediate environment and work organisation, then records risks and the actions required to address them.
Are DSE, VDU and workstation assessments the same thing?
They usually describe the same core assessment. DSE means Display Screen Equipment; VDU means Visual Display Unit, the term used in parts of the HSA guidance. A workstation assessment considers the screen together with the chair, desk, accessories and immediate working environment.
What must Irish employers do about DSE workstations?
The HSA states that covered employers must carry out an analysis or risk assessment of employee workstations, address identified risks, provide relevant information and training, arrange further assessment when an employee moves workstation or significant equipment or technology changes, and make appropriate eye and eyesight testing available. A DSE assessment service covers the workstation-analysis element; the employer remains responsible for the wider duties and for completing actions.
Can employees complete their own DSE assessment?
Employees should be consulted and involved, but the HSA says a software package or self-assessment alone is not sufficient. The employer must ensure that the workstation analysis is completed by a competent person and documented.
What does Usafety's workstation assessment service include?
Usafety provides remote or onsite employee assessments, documented findings and actions, employee self-booking, and organisation-level report management through a portal and dashboard. The exact programme is scoped to your workforce, locations and delivery format before booking.
Can a DSE assessment be completed remotely?
Yes. Usafety's remote DSE assessments are conducted through MS Teams and take approximately 30 minutes. The employee can join through a browser without installing Teams. Onsite assessments are also available and may take longer depending on the workstation and issues identified.
How often should a DSE assessment be repeated?
The HSA specifically calls for a further analysis when an employee transfers to a new workstation or when significant new equipment, a change of equipment or new technology is introduced. Follow-up is also required where actions remain outstanding. The HSA FAQ does not give a blanket annual or two-to-three-year interval for every workstation assessment.
DSE (VDU) workstation assessments in Ireland
A Display Screen Equipment (DSE) assessment, also known as a Visual Display Unit (VDU) assessment, reviews the employee’s workstation and how they use it. It identifies ergonomic risks and the practical changes needed to address them.
For employees covered by the Regulations, the employer must arrange a competent-person workstation analysis, take account of Schedule 4 and address identified risks. The employer retains its separate duties concerning information, training, work planning and eye and eyesight tests.
What we check at the workstation
Screen and input equipment
Screen position and visibility, keyboard, mouse and other input devices used for the employee's tasks.
Chair and work surface
Seating, desk or work surface, accessories, reach distances and the employee's working position.
Immediate environment
Available space and relevant environmental factors such as lighting, glare, noise, heat and humidity.
Tasks and work organisation
How the employee uses the workstation, reported issues and work patterns that may require practical controls.
Guides for employers
- DSE assessment requirements in Ireland →
Employer duties, records, eye tests and remote-work coverage.
- How often should DSE assessments be repeated? →
The legal reassessment triggers and risk-based review cycle.
- DSE evidence to have ready for an HSA inspection →
Per-user records, corrective actions, training and follow-up.
- DSE assessment or specialist ergonomic assessment? →
How to choose the right assessment for the employee and task.
05 / Get started
Let’s plan your
DSE assessments.
Tell us how many employees need assessing, where they work and whether you prefer onsite, remote or mixed delivery. We’ll come back within 4 working hours with a quotation and available dates.
Public-sector buyer? OGP Lot 8 →