What is a VDU/DSE assessment?

Employers in Ireland have a legal duty under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulations 2007 to assess the risks associated with display screen equipment (DSE) and visual display unit (VDU) use, and to take action to reduce those risks.

A professional workstation assessment evaluates each employee’s setup individually — identifying ergonomic risks and providing practical recommendations to reduce the likelihood of musculoskeletal issues, eye strain and other DSE-related problems.

Who needs an assessment?

Assessments are appropriate for employees who use a VDU or display screen as a regular and significant part of their work — typically anyone working at a screen for one hour or more continuously each day, whether in an office, working from home, or in a hybrid arrangement.

What the assessment covers

Each individual assessment covers the full workstation environment, including:

  • Workstation layout, chair adjustment and posture
  • Screen position, height and distance
  • Keyboard, mouse and peripheral setup
  • Lighting and glare
  • Temperature, ventilation and noise levels
  • Electrical safety and fire detection
  • Communication setup and general health arrangements
  • Any reported discomfort or musculoskeletal issues

How assessments are delivered

Assessments are carried out by UFAS assessors, either on-site at your workplace or remotely via video call (Teams or Zoom). Each individual assessment takes approximately 30–45 minutes, depending on the workstation setup, the employee’s role and any issues identified.

A full-day visit typically covers 8–10 individual assessments per assessor. The exact number depends on site layout, employee availability and the complexity of any findings.

What you receive

Following the assessments, UFAS provides documentation to support your DSE/VDU compliance records:

  • An individual workstation assessment record for each employee, including issues identified and recommended control measures
  • A summary report for the employer covering overall findings, recommended actions, equipment requirements where applicable, and any follow-up items

Nationwide, on-site and remote

We carry out assessments at workplaces across Ireland and via video call for home workers and remote teams. Multi-site and remote-worker assessment programmes are available on request.

To discuss your requirements or arrange assessments, call 01 6991126 or email info@ufas.ie.

Course details

Duration per employee
Approximately 30–45 minutes per individual assessment

Capacity
8–10 assessments per assessor per full day

Format
On-site at your workplace, or remote via video call (Teams/Zoom)

Documentation
Individual workstation assessment record + employer summary report

Where
On-site nationwide; remote assessments available

Price
Priced per employee assessed; half-day and full-day options available. Group, multi-site and remote programmes on request.