What is the 20-20-20 rule?

Posted 3 years ago

It is a common misconception that you can cause permanent damage to your eyes by frequently using display screen equipment (DSE), when actually there is no evidence to support this.

However, there are a number of risks associated with DSE work. In fact, in 2020/21 there were over 470,000 workers suffering from musculoskeletal disorders in Great Britain. It’s unclear how many of these are as a result of the incorrect use of DSE, however, it’s crucial that DSE users understand how to properly use their equipment and how often they should take breaks.

Another common issue surrounding the use of DSE is eye strains. There are many ways that a DSE user can strain their eyes, including by having improper lighting, screen glare, or even working on a screen for too long without any breaks.

One of the most commonly practiced methods for taking breaks from the use of DSE is the ‘20-20-20 rule’. This exercise for a DSE user’s eyes requires that they look up from their screen at something roughly 20 feet away for 20 seconds, every 20 minutes.

As a result of frequently practicing this exercise, it gives the DSE user’s eyes a chance to relax and to prevent them from being strained.

Here’s a short snippet from our DSE Training course that explains the 20-20-20 rule…

Online DSE Training

Here at iHasco, we offer an Online DSE Training course that is designed for all levels of staff that use display screen equipment regularly at work.

The IOSH Approved course can be completed in just 30 minutes and provides the user with a printable certificate upon completion of the end-of-course test.

Anyone who regularly uses display screen equipment legally requires DSE Training, and with an estimated 40% of health-related work cases being musculoskeletal disorders, it’s clear to see why.

As well as receiving access to the training course, our DSE Training also comes with a free DSE Assessment Tool that allows staff to self-assess their workstation for Health & Safety risks and feed that information straight back to their employer.

Our training, paired with our DSE Assessment Tool, can help to keep your employees happy & safe, whilst also working towards legislative compliance.