Onsite & Remote DSE / VDU Assessments
DSE workstation assessments for Irish employers
Competent-person onsite and remote assessments with employee consultation, documented findings, a named corrective-action plan and follow-up for office, hybrid and home workstations across Ireland.
- Remote assessments take approximately 30 minutes
- Onsite, remote or mixed delivery
- Reports, actions and organisation dashboard
Since 1995
Workplace safety services for Irish employers
Manual handling
Employee training delivered by appropriately qualified instructors
DSE assessments
Documented onsite and remote workstation assessment options
HSE guidance
HSE guidance says classroom-based training is delivered by HSE instructors where available, or by Usafety
For office, hybrid and remote teams
What our DSE and VDU assessment service includes
A structured display screen assessment for each employee, supported by scalable booking, documented reporting and organisation-level oversight.
Onsite or Remote
Run assessments at your workplace or remotely through MS Teams for office, hybrid and home-based staff.
Documented Reports
Each assessment records the workstation findings, issues identified and practical actions to follow up.
Organisation Dashboard
Manage assessment activity and reports through your organisation's portal and dashboard.
Employee Self-Booking
Employees choose an available assessment slot through a booking link, reducing coordination work for HR.
Workforce Programmes
Scope a programme for one location, distributed teams or a nationwide workforce with no assessment-volume cap.
Workstation Focus
Assess the employee's screen, input devices, chair, work surface, environment and work organisation.
How the workstation assessment service works
One process for onsite DSE assessments, remote VDU assessments or a mixed workforce programme.
Scope the programme
Tell us how many employees need a DSE assessment, their locations and whether you need onsite, remote or mixed delivery.
Receive a quotation
We provide a quotation and available assessment dates based on the agreed scope.
Set up booking and reporting
We provide a one-hour onboarding session for your organisation portal, dashboard and employee booking process.
Assess, report and follow up
Employees book suitable slots. Assessments are completed and reports record findings and actions for follow-up.
Irish employer requirements
DSE and VDU risk assessments in Ireland
DSE means Display Screen Equipment. VDU means Visual Display Unit, the term used in parts of the Health and Safety Authority's guidance. Both searches normally refer to the assessment of an employee's screen-based workstation.
The workstation includes the screen and input devices as well as the chair, desk or work surface, accessories and immediate working environment. The assessment records issues and the actions required to address them.
Read the official HSA DSE guidanceWhat the HSA says employers must do
For employees covered by the Display Screen Equipment Regulations, the employer must arrange an analysis or risk assessment of the workstation, take account of the Schedule 4 minimum requirements and address identified risks. The HSA says the analysis must be completed by a competent person and documented.
Usafety's service covers that workstation assessment and reporting work. The employer remains responsible for implementing actions and for its separate duties concerning information, training, work planning and eye and eyesight tests.
DSE is also commonly called VDU or workstation assessment
The documented action plan states what needs follow-up
What a workstation assessment checks
The assessment combines employee consultation with observation of the workstation and screen-based tasks.
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.
From analysis to action closure
What the assessment process includes
The process combines employee consultation, competent-person observation, documented findings and accountable follow-through.
01
Consult the employee
Review the employee's tasks, screen-use pattern, workstation setup and any relevant concerns or reported symptoms.
02
Observe the workstation
Assess the employee and workstation against the Schedule 4 minimum requirements and the work actually being performed.
03
Document findings and actions
Record the findings and create a corrective-action plan with a responsible owner and target date for each outstanding item.
04
Review and close actions
Review implementation, record completion and arrange further assessment where changes or unresolved issues make it necessary.
Official Irish DSE sources
These primary sources explain employer duties, competent-person assessment, Schedule 4 and remote-working responsibilities.
More than an employee checklist
Employee input is important, but the HSA states that self-assessment software alone is not sufficient. A competent person must complete and document the workstation analysis.
Usafety's DSE assessment service combines consultation and observation with a written record of findings and actions. It does not transfer the employer's responsibility to implement those actions or manage its wider statutory duties.
Documented output
Findings, issues requiring follow-up and practical actions for the employee's workstation.
Employer follow-through
The employer remains responsible for assigning, completing and reviewing outstanding actions.
Onsite and remote DSE assessment options
Remote assessment
A remote employee assessment takes approximately 30 minutes through MS Teams.
Onsite assessment
The assessor attends the workplace. Timing may vary depending on the workstation and the issues identified.
Reports and actions
Reports are generated with recorded findings, pictograms, exercises and equipment or follow-up actions where relevant.
Programme management
Organisations receive portal and dashboard onboarding, while employees use a booking link to select available slots.
Frequently asked questions
Answers for employers comparing DSE, VDU and workstation assessment services in Ireland.
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 assessments across Ireland
Usafety delivers onsite workstation assessments nationwide and remote VDU assessments through MS Teams for office, hybrid and home-based employees.
Practical guidance
DSE guides for Irish employers
Use these guides to define who needs an assessment, when to review it and what evidence to retain.
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.
Related resources and services
What affects pricing?
Pricing depends on employee numbers, onsite or remote delivery, workplace locations, reporting requirements and the level of programme follow-up required.
The quotation confirms the delivery model, outputs and any additional specialist ergonomic work before booking.
Service leadership
The DSE service is led by Lisa Thomas, Managing Director at Usafety, with coordinated delivery for employers across Ireland.
Meet Lisa ThomasRequest a DSE assessment quote
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.
- Quotation + available dates within 4 working hours
- Documented assessment reports and actions
- Portal onboarding and employee self-booking