Who the DSE Regulations apply to
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, amended in 2002, protect “users”: workers who habitually use display screen equipment as a significant part of their normal work, typically for continuous spells of an hour or more at a time on most days. That covers most office staff, many people working from home and a wide range of control-room, reception and retail roles. HSE’s guidance on the regulations is published as L26 Work with display screen equipment.
Employers must analyse each workstation to assess risks, make sure workstations meet the minimum requirements in the Schedule, plan breaks or changes of activity, provide eye and eyesight tests on request, and give training and information. Lighting is part of the workstation assessment, not a separate exercise.
What the regulations say about lighting
The lighting duties are in paragraph 3 (“Environment”) of the Schedule. In summary:
- Satisfactory lighting and contrast (3(b)). Any room or task lighting must ensure satisfactory lighting conditions and an appropriate contrast between the screen and the background environment, taking into account the type of work and the vision requirements of the user.
- Artificial lighting must not cause glare or reflections (3(b)). Possible disturbing glare and reflections on the screen or other equipment must be prevented by co-ordinating the workplace and workstation layout with the positioning and technical characteristics of the artificial light sources.
- Windows and bright surfaces (3(c)). Workstations must be designed so that windows and other openings, transparent or translucent walls, and brightly coloured fixtures or walls cause no direct glare and no distracting reflections on the screen.
- Window coverings (3(c)). Windows must be fitted with a suitable system of adjustable covering to attenuate the daylight that falls on the workstation.
The equipment section of the Schedule also requires the screen itself to be free of reflective glare and reflections liable to cause discomfort. These requirements apply to the extent that the component is present, that they serve health and safety, and that the nature of the task makes them appropriate.
Notice what the regulations do not do: they do not set a lux figure. The numbers come from the general duty in regulation 8 of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, HSE guidance HSG38 Lighting at work, and the design standard BS EN 12464-1:2021.
The numbers: BS EN 12464-1:2021 for screen work
Illuminance, uniformity and glare
| Task | Maintained illuminance | Uniformity (Uo) | UGR limit | Colour rendering (Ra) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Writing, typing, reading, data processing | 500 lx | 0.60 | 19 | 80 |
| Technical drawing | 750 lx | 0.70 | 16 | 80 |
| CAD workstations | 500 lx | 0.60 | 19 | 80 |
The 500 lx figure applies to the desk task area. More light on the desk does not help a screen user; it can reduce screen contrast. What matters most for DSE is controlling the brightness of anything that can be reflected in, or seen around, the screen. See office lighting standards for the wider office picture.
Luminaire luminance limits for screens
BS EN 12464-1:2021 limits the average luminance of luminaires that could reflect in a screen, viewed at elevation angles of 65° and above from the downward vertical, for workstations with vertical or slightly tilted screens:
| Screen type | Bright screen (above 200 cd/m²) | Dimmer screen (200 cd/m² or less) |
|---|---|---|
| Case A: positive polarity (dark text on light background), normal colour and detail needs | ≤ 3000 cd/m² | ≤ 1500 cd/m² |
| Case B: negative polarity and/or demanding colour and detail work | ≤ 1500 cd/m² | ≤ 1000 cd/m² |
Many luminaire data sheets quote compliance with these limits. Dark-mode software and colour-critical work push you into Case B, which needs better-controlled optics.
Common screen glare problems
Reflections of ceiling luminaires
Bright LED panels or battens directly behind a seated user reflect in the screen as bright patches. This is the classic DSE lighting failure, and it often appears after an LED retrofit that ignored glare; see can an LED upgrade reduce compliance?
Windows
Screens facing a window produce strong contrast glare; screens with a window behind them pick up reflections. The usual good practice is to position screens at right angles to windows, with working blinds. HSE’s DSE checklist notes vertical-slat blinds can be more suitable than horizontal ones.
Over-lit and high-contrast rooms
A very bright desk next to dark walls, or high-output fittings with no dimming, make screens harder to read. Raising wall and ceiling brightness and dimming to design levels usually helps.
Task lamps
Desk lamps help with paper work but can cause reflections if aimed at the screen. They should be adjustable and positioned to light the document, not the display.
Flicker
Failing fluorescent tubes and poor LED drivers can cause visible flicker, a common trigger for eyestrain and headaches among screen users.
How to check DSE lighting
- Use the workstation assessment. Ask users about glare, reflections and eyestrain. HSE suggests a simple mirror test: place a mirror in front of the screen to see where reflections are coming from.
- Measure illuminance. A lux survey records the desk task area and its surround against the 500 lx target and uniformity requirements, under normal operating conditions. See how lux is measured.
- Record luminaires. Note fitting types, positions and published luminance data so glare and screen-reflection limits can be checked.
- Check blinds and layout. Confirm window coverings work and screens sit at a sensible angle to windows and light sources.
- Act and record. Re-orient screens, fix blinds, shield or replace glary fittings, then update the DSE assessment.
Homeworkers and hybrid staff
The DSE Regulations apply to users working from home on a long-term basis. You cannot survey every spare room, but your assessment should cover lighting: a window behind or in front of the screen, adjustable task lighting and the ability to reduce daylight glare.
Get your DSE lighting checked
Polarity Lux carries out independent office lux surveys that cover screen glare, reflections and desk illuminance, giving you measured evidence for your DSE assessments. We work across London and the South East, including Hertfordshire, Essex, Kent and Surrey. A single-floor office survey starts from £175. Book an office lux survey or read more about our office lighting surveys.
Frequently asked questions
Do the DSE Regulations specify a lux level?
No. They require satisfactory lighting, appropriate screen contrast and no disturbing glare or reflections. The usual benchmark of 500 lx for screen and office work comes from BS EN 12464-1:2021.
Are blinds a legal requirement for DSE workstations?
The Schedule to the DSE Regulations 1992 requires windows to have a suitable system of adjustable covering to attenuate daylight falling on the workstation, where this is appropriate to the task.
What UGR is required for computer work?
BS EN 12464-1:2021 sets a UGR limit of 19 for office writing, typing, reading and data processing, and 16 for technical drawing.
Do the DSE Regulations apply to home workers?
Yes, for workers who are DSE users and work at home on a long-term basis. Employers should include lighting, glare and window position in the homeworking assessment.