There are many things that companies are cutting back on at the moment, some good, others not so. It is important that employers do not overlook the essential things that will keep their business afloat.

The problem is that some bosses cut corners in the wrong places to save money in the immediate term without looking at the long term effects. Cutting advertising budgets is counter-productive. You will save money immediately but lose it in the long run when no-one knows of your company. Cutting back on staff can sometimes help if you have surplus staff but this is a rarity. Better to make sure you have sufficient, well qualified staff, who are in the best position to offer your customers the best quality service you can.

Yet other companies will cut back on training. Again, another fruitless money saving exercise as it means that you staff are not up to scratch. Some employers will ensure their staff know that times are hard, expecting them to understand where the corners are cut.
However, cut back on health and safety training and this will be to the detriment of the company and staff.

Without taking the time to supply preventative measure such as DSE risk assessments and DSE training, you staff could become sick through work, costing you not only employee downtime and a less efficient service to your customers but also the possibility of compensation claims.

It is the duty and responsibility of every company owner to ensure his staff are fully conversant with health and safety regulations, for their own good as well as the company’s. For those who run offices, however small, DSE risk assessment is an essential training tool that should be enforced early on in the life of an employee.

Thousands of sick days are taken by office staff with neck, back, arm and leg injuries and ailments because of poor posture when sitting or by having desks, seating and computer monitors at wrong angles or heights. This means that companies are losing money hand over fist when they are paying wages to staff who are not in work. This is only the tip of the iceberg because if DSE risk assessment has not been carried out and changes implemented for the protection of staff, then the employee has every right to seek compensation.

DSE risk assessment is easily implemented. It can even be done online in stages and at times that are convenient to both employee and employer. Even online training comes with certification of the training having been completed and is enough to protect the employer against any legal action from staff that choose not to implement the recommendations.

These recommendations will point out the optimum level for a desk and office chair height depending on the height of the individual. Getting these two things right will protect the user from injuries to spines and necks. It will also go a good way to preventing arm and shoulder problems from repeated strain.

Getting the VDU aimed at the optimum angle, height and distance will ensure that neck injuries are avoided and to place the keyboard at the correct angle will help to prevent repetitive strain injury from continual typing. The risk assessment will also point out that regular breaks need to be taken to avoid eye strain and muscle stiffness.

If all the recommendations of a DSE risk assessment are followed, you can be assured of a happy and healthy workforce and a very restricted chance of lawsuits.