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Welcome to The South East Anglia branch of the CWU

Am I entitled to breaks?  

Yes and it is your managers responsibility under Health and Safety legislation to ensure that you are encouraged to take DSE breaks before the onset of fatigue.  The nature of the breaks is dependent on the work you are carrying out.  Under the regulations a break is anything which interrupts peoples daily activity on DSE.  For example, if in your job you are required to send faxes, write reports on paper, read paper reports, leave your desk to speak to other people etc. then these are all classed as ‘breaks’.  The general guideline is that the break from DSE activity should be around 5-10 minutes per hour.

For many users though, especially in Call Centres and ‘paperless offices’ there is very little opportunity to take a break by carrying out different duties which do not involve the use of DSE. In these cases users should be allowed rest breaks away from the screen and before the onset of fatigue. Very importantly users should be allowed some discretion in when and how they take their breaks and breaks should be included in works time i.e. if you are allowed a break you should not be required to make this time back up during the day - this would nullify the effect of the break and encourage people not to take them.

These are your rights NOW and it is important that the pressure to achieve targets is not a barrier to these informal breaks being taken.

Am I a DSE user?

The law itself classifies as DSE users ‘employees...who habitually use display screen equipment... as a significant part of their normal work’. The important word here is ‘significant’ simply using DSE does not classify you automatically as a user under the regulations. By law your manager must carry out what is known as a ‘Risk Assessment’ of your duties. This includes classifying you as a DSE user, or not. Your manager should have advised you if s/he has classified you as one. You should also have received a copy of BT document SFY/LAP/A024 ‘Display Screen Equipment -Information for BT People’

What if my manager says I am not a user but I think I am?

The guidance to the regulations is very clear on who should and who should not be classified as a user and your manager should have referred to this. However managers are not infallible, if you disagree with their findings and want advice contact your Union Safety Representative or your local CWU Branch Office. They can give confidential advice and, if necessary, come out and assess your job.

Am I entitled to free eye tests?

As a user you are entitled to eyesight tests upon request. Also anyone who is to become a user may request an eyesight test. BT must meet the cost for these tests.

I have been offered a vision-screening test, what is this?

This is not a full eye test but is a method of identifying individuals with defective vision who need a full eye test. As a user you may opt for this screening test or you can exercise your right for a full eye test.

Does BT have to pay for spectacles if I need them?

They only have to pay for spectacles when they are needed specifically for DSE work. Spectacles required for any other purpose are not classed as corrective appliances where DSE is concerned. Again, the employer must meet the cost of spectacles or other corrective appliances. Anti-glare screens and other devices that purport to protect against radiation are not classed as corrective appliances.