break entitlement

[Kirstyhev]

what is the break entitlement when working with DSE?

[Buenchico]

(2-part post):

DSE? I started off thinking that was probably some sort of government department but couldn't work out which one so I tried a web search. This showed dozens of possible things which you could be referring to! So I'm only guessing when I post a reply based upon the possibility that you might mean 'display screen equipment':

There are no statutory limits on the time that you should be using display screen equipment for. There are also no statutory rules determining the length of breaks (other, of course, than the breaks which all employees are entitled to under the Working Hours Regulations).

This is from the website of the Health & Safety Executive:
"(2) The Regulations and guidance do not quantify the duration or intervals between breaks or changes of activity because:

(a) DSE jobs are very varied and what would be appropriate intervals for one job could be inadequate for another;

(b) Where circumstances permit, the best arrangement is for users to have some individual control over the pace of work and when to take breaks.

(3) [Recent HSE sponsored research (by Professor Cox et al, University of Nottingham), recommended amongst other things, that periods of work between breaks should be at least 50 minutes but not greater than 120 minutes, and that breaks should be between 12 and 15 minutes in duration. However, the researchers were only considering repetitive (short cycle) VDU work such as data entry, and their conclusions, which were subject to a number of caveats, are not valid for other kinds of DSE work.]"
Link: http://www.hse.gov.uk/lau/lacs/16-1.htm

[Buenchico]

The full regulations are available here:
http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si1992/Uksi_19922792_en_1.htm

This is from Birmingham City Council's Health & Safety webpage and includes some basic guidance on times:
"How long can I safely work at a VDU screen?
There is no limit set out in legislation but it is important that you take regular breaks. How long you should work without a break depends on the work you are doing. Regulations require breaks or changes in activity but do not specify their timing or length. Guidance suggests that frequent short breaks are better than long infrequent breaks, for example, 5 minutes every hour or 15 minutes every 2 hours. It is best if the individual has discretion over when the breaks are taken as they are aware of how they are feeling. However most jobs frequently involve carrying out other activities other than VDU work i.e. filing or photocopying."
http://www.birmingham.gov.uk/GenerateContent?CONTENT_ITE M_ID=29638&CONTENT_ITEM_TYPE=0&MENU_ID=12766& ;EXPAND=1415

If you are concerned that your employer is not providing you with sufficient breaks, the first thing to do is to demand to see his written risk assessment in relation to your work. (He must have one, by law). This should state how the employer intends to minimise risks. (i.e. it should outline a policy on breaks). If you believe that either the risk assessment or the actual practices of the firm do not comply with the statutory regulations, then (if the employer won't change things) you should report the matter to your safety officer or trade union representative. If this fails (or if there's nobody to represent you), contact the Health & Safety Executive on 08

[Buenchico]

I've been edited!

The phone number for the HSE is 0870 154 5500.

Hoping this helps,

Chris