To ensure that they comply with the Regulations employers need to decide who is a display screen user. There are no hard and fast rules about who may be a user or operator in some cases it will be obvious but in other cases other factors may have to be taken into consideration. In general a person will be able to be classified as a user or operator if all or some of the following criteria apply:

The individual depends on display screen equipment to do their job and there is no alternative method available. The individual cannot decide for themselves whether to use display screen equipment or not. Significant training or particular skills are required in the use of display screen equipment to enable the person to do their job. The display screen equipment is normally used in spells exceeding 1 hour's duration. The display screen equipment is used more or less on a daily basis. The transfer of information from the user to the display screen is an important part of the job. Where the consequences of error may be critical the job will require high levels of concentration and attention.

See also: Table 1. Section Index