Truly effective workplace DSE programmes combine several different preventative measures to reduce injury rates, improve productivity, and sustain employee wellbeing; DSE training for staff members is one of these crucial threads.

Ergonomic office chairs and sit-stand decks may be the first things that come to mind when considering DSE protections, but equipment upgrades only go so far. Reported discomfort may decrease marginally, but without proper employee training, it’s unlikely you’ll really feel the difference in terms of business outcomes.

In this article, we explain the role of DSE training for employees who work long hours in front of screens – and why robust staff training should underpin all DSE risk management efforts.

The importance of DSE training for DSE users – At a glance

DSE training is essential because:

• Reinforces shared responsibility for DSE compliance across the organisation
  
• Ensures ergonomic office furniture is used correctly, not just provided
  
• Gives employees the knowledge to identify and correct poor workstation set-ups themselves
  
• Helps staff recognise early signs of DSE-related discomfort before they escalate
  
• Encourages consistent, safe working habits rather than one-off adjustments
  
• Supports effective use of DSE risk assessments by turning recommendations into action
  
• Reduces reliance on managers or specialists for minor workstation issues

How DSE training for employees supports effective DSE risk management

DSE training turns compliance into shared responsibility

The DSE Regulations place clear duties on employers to assess risks and provide suitable workstations, but they also set out responsibilities for employees themselves. Workers are expected to use equipment correctly, follow safe systems of work, and report problems as they arise.

This is where DSE training plays a critical role. Without it, those responsibilities exist only on paper. Employees may be formally accountable for their own workstation use, but in practical terms, they’re left to rely on guesswork, habit, or informal advice from colleagues.

Effective DSE training makes expectations explicit. It explains not just what employees are responsible for, but why those responsibilities matter and how they apply to everyday screen work. This shared understanding helps remove the common disconnect between policy and practice, and nurtures a positive safety culture within the organisation.

Turning ergonomic equipment into practical protection

DSE training gives employees the context they need to make sense of adjustable equipment.

Ergonomic furniture and accessories are often treated as a shortcut to DSE compliance. Adjustable chairs, monitor arms, and sit-stand desks are introduced with the expectation that they will automatically reduce risk. In reality, these measures only provide protection when they’re understood and used correctly.

For a real shortcut to DSE compliance, see our Global Ergonomics Regulations Report and Gap Analysis.

Rather than memorising instructions or copying a generic set-up, staff learn the underlying principles (i.e. posture, screen positioning, and neutral working positions) and how to apply them to their own bodies and tasks.

Supporting early identification and self-correction of DSE-related issues

DSE training helps employees distinguish between fleeting discomfort and indicators of a developing issue.

Most DSE-related problems do not begin with injury. They develop gradually, often starting as mild discomfort that’s easy to ignore or normalise during prolonged screen work. Without the right knowledge, employees may not recognise these early warning signs or understand when simple adjustments could make a meaningful difference.

By understanding common symptoms associated with poor workstation set-up or sustained static postures, staff are better placed to act early rather than waiting until symptoms worsen.

Training also enables self-correction. Employees who understand how their workstation, posture, and working habits interact can make small, timely changes without needing formal intervention. This reduces unnecessary escalation while ensuring genuine concerns are identified and addressed sooner.

Turning DSE risk assessments into meaningful action

DSE risk assessments are a core requirement of any compliant programme, but their effectiveness depends on how well their findings are understood and applied.

DSE training provides employees with the knowledge needed to interpret assessment recommendations and act on them appropriately. When staff understand why certain adjustments are advised, they’re more likely to implement them correctly and maintain them over time.

Training also enables assessments to function as living tools rather than one-off exercises. Employees who are familiar with DSE principles are better equipped to reassess their own workstations when tasks change, equipment is replaced, or working locations shift, such as when moving between office and home setups.

Reducing reliance on managers and specialists for minor DSE issues

DSE training equips employees to resolve straightforward issues independently, freeing up senior staff to focus efforts elsewhere.

When employees lack DSE training, even minor workstation concerns often need to be escalated to line managers, HR teams, or external specialists. While expert input is essential in some cases, over-reliance on it for basic adjustments can slow response times and dilute the effectiveness of the wider DSE programme.

At, Cardinus, this is why we aim to instil key DSE and ergonomic principles into client teams, creating a level of self-sufficiency that drives lasting results. For example, our DSE Assessor course imparts key competencies to deliver effective first-line interventions completely in-house.

With employees able to manage routine DSE considerations themselves, managerial input can be focused on cases that genuinely require review, modification of equipment, or occupational health involvement.

Why DSE training should come first, not last

DSE training is often treated as a follow-up to assessments and equipment provision. In practice, it’s the element that makes every other control measure effective. Without training, risk assessments lose relevance, ergonomic equipment goes underused, and responsibility for safe screen work remains unclear.

When training comes first, employees understand their role from the outset. They’re better equipped to engage with assessments, apply recommendations correctly, and adapt their working practices as circumstances change. In other words, training provides the foundation on which sustainable DSE risk management is built.

DSE training from Cardinus

Healthy Working, our end-to-end DSE risk management software, combines structured DSE management with an integrated eLearning hub, offering customisable training resources that support consistent application across the workforce. Learn more about Healthy Working.

Used alongside assessment, monitoring, and reporting tools, this helps DSE programmes move beyond compliance towards genuine behavioural change and tangible business benefits. Get a free trial of Healthy Working today.

Contact Cardinus for more information about our DSE services. We’re always happy to help!