As organisations grow, diversify, and adopt new ways of working, the risks associated with display screen equipment (DSE) evolve rapidly.

Whether you’re opening new office locations, embracing hybrid work, or equipping employees with mobile devices, the demands and expectations around safe DSE use shift — often in ways that are difficult to predict or control. In this context, a static DSE programme can’t keep pace. 

This article explores why scalability in DSE risk management is critical to supporting employee wellbeing, compliance, and operational continuity.

Why Scalability Matters in DSE Programmes

As organisations increase in size and complexity, so does the landscape of DSE-related hazards.

For example, a company that starts with a single, centralised office may later expand to multiple locations across different countries, each with unique workstation setups, regulatory requirements, and cultural expectations around screen use.

What begins as a handful of straightforward DSE assessments can quickly grow into thousands of assessments across diverse settings.

Hybrid and remote work further complicate oversight. Without direct access to employees’ work environments, identifying and addressing risks such as poor posture, unsuitable seating, glare, or excessive screen time requires scalable digital solutions that reach staff wherever they work.

If DSE risk management processes and technologies don’t scale effectively, the following problems typically emerge:

• Inconsistent DSE assessments and controls across locations.
• Delays in identifying and mitigating DSE-related risks.
• Over-reliance on manual or paper-based processes that can’t keep up with business growth.
• Fragmented training and lack of shared best practices.

The Cost of Static DSE Programmes

Organisations that don’t adapt to their evolving DSE risk profile often experience:

Rising health issues: Problems such as repetitive strain injuries, headaches, and visual discomfort become more prevalent as DSE hazards go unmanaged, harming employee wellbeing and morale.

Increased claims and absence: Work-related discomfort leads to higher sickness absence and a greater risk of personal injury or liability claims, raising costs and disrupting operations.

Lost productivity: Employees affected by DSE-related issues often require time off, and performance can decline when discomfort is ignored.

Damage to reputation: Employees and candidates notice when DSE risks are neglected. Poor DSE management undermines trust, engagement, and employer brand.

Scalability Also Means Staying Ahead of Regulatory Change

It’s not only business growth that drives the need for scalable DSE programmes — regulatory expectations are also continuously evolving.

As governments and industry bodies update standards to reflect new research, technologies, and ways of working, organisations must be prepared to adapt quickly. For example, regulations increasingly address:

• The safe use of laptops and mobile devices for prolonged periods.
• The specific requirements of hybrid and remote work environments.
• Mental health considerations linked to intensive screen use and poor ergonomics.

A scalable DSE risk management programme provides the flexibility to incorporate these changes consistently across your operations — ensuring compliance wherever your people work.

By embedding agile processes and digital tools, you can:

• Update assessments and training content as regulations evolve.
• Standardise documentation and reporting to demonstrate compliance during inspections or audits.
• Minimise the risk of penalties, legal challenges, or reputational damage stemming from outdated practices.

What Scalable DSE Risk Management Looks Like

A scalable DSE programme is designed to grow and adapt efficiently while maintaining consistency and compliance. Key elements include:

• Digital self-assessment tools: Software platforms that enable employees to complete DSE assessments online, flagging risks automatically and prompting appropriate action, regardless of location.
• Standardised reporting and dashboards: Centralised systems that track assessment completion, risk trends, and remedial actions across the business.
• Remote and hybrid work support: Solutions that assess and mitigate risks in home offices or other non-traditional environments, including guidance on setting up safe workstations with available equipment.
• Modular training resources: Scalable eLearning and resources that educate employees on safe DSE use and posture, tailored to their working environment.
• Clear governance: Defined roles, responsibilities, and escalation pathways to ensure risks are managed promptly and consistently.

Together, these features ensure that as your workforce and working arrangements expand, DSE risk management remains robust and effective — without creating bottlenecks or exposing the organisation to unnecessary risk.

Healthy Working: Dynamic DSE Support

As we’ve seen, organisations need a DSE programme that can flex and grow alongside their business — across different sites, setups, cultures, and changing regulations. That’s exactly where our DSE Management Software, Healthy Working, stands out:

• Digital self-assessments and tailored eLearning

Employees — whether based in the office, working remotely, or sharing desks — can complete personalised eLearning and self-assessments. These resources can be rolled out instantaneously, automatically highlighting individual DSE risks and providing immediate, practical guidance.

• Engagement and ongoing support

The platform encourages healthy habits through gentle reminders, simple stretching videos, smartphone tips, and guidance for hot-desking — helping employees stay comfortable and supported no matter where they work.

• Centralised workflows and clear reporting

All assessments connect to Cardinus’s PACE management module, giving you central dashboards, trend insights, and governance tools to maintain consistent oversight — regardless of how spread out your teams are.

• Built for compliance, ready for global use

Developed in collaboration with the UK Health & Safety Executive (HSE), Healthy Working supports international roll-outs with multi-language and multi-variant modules tailored to local regulations, device types, and cultural differences.

• Scalable by design

Trusted by over 5 million users in 2,000+ organisations, Healthy Working scales smoothly — from small pilot projects to enterprise-wide deployments — without creating extra admin burdens.

Get a free trial of Healthy Working with up to 5% of your workforce – or contact Cardinus today for more information.