What is RSI?
There are three misconceptions about what repetitive strain injury (RSI) is. The first of these is that it is in itself a medical condition. The truth is rather different, as Paul Goddard, who runs the RSI Awareness website, explains: “RSI is a term that encompasses a variety of conditions, but is not an actual diagnosis. It’s a bit like the expression ‘sports injury’ – which might be a twisted ankle or a bump on the head!”
There are many different disorders of the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder and neck that may be labelled as RSI, ranging from carpal tunnel syndrome, which affects the wrist, to tennis elbow (or lateral epicondylitis).
The second misconception is that RSI only affects people who work with computers. In fact, it can also be a problem for people who work with vibrating tools. Vibration White Finger, for example, is triggered by continuous use of vibrating hand-held machinery. Musicians can also suffer from RSI.
The third false view of RSI is that only affects middle-aged and older people. Actually, some teenagers suffer from a condition called DeQuervain's syndrome. This is an inflammation of the two tendons that control movement in the thumb, and affects some teenagers who are constantly texting.
Lets talk statistics
So what are the statistics for RSI? The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) publishes data for upper limb disorders (ULDs). Put simply, ULDs emcompass conditions traditionally termed RSI plus a few others affecting the arms – from fingers to shoulder – and neck.
It is estimated that 2.8 million working days were lost in 2007/08 through musculoskeletal disorders mainly affecting the upper limbs or neck that were caused or made worse by work. On average, each person suffering took an estimated 13.3 days off in that 12-month period.
As an employer, prevention is, as ever, cheaper and more rapid than cure. Yet, according to Goddard, who is also education officer for Keytools, a company offering assisted technology mainly for disabled computer users, many take a reactive approach, dealing with RSI-related issues after they occur.
He adds: “There is a lot of advice and expertise around for employers to use to prevent problems occurring, so the onus is on them to take preventative measures.
“Compared to other areas of health and safety, RSI prevention is lagging behind. Many employees are given the most basic of advice about posture and screen breaks, a basic keyboard, a cheap mouse and a standard office chair.”
So what are the legal duties placed on employers?
According to the HSE, employers have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 to prevent what it terms work-related ULDs or to stop any cases getting worse. If an employer does not manage the risk of ULDs to workers they run the risk of legal action and possible compensation costs.
ULDs can be successfully managed in the workplace by:
-
assessing the risks – this means looking around the workplace to see which jobs may cause harm
-
reducing the risk of ULDs – this could mean changing the way work is organised
-
helping sufferers back to work
Organisations are more likely to succeed if they involve workers and their safety representatives early and at every stage, provide information and training and design the job to fit the employee.
Remember that an employee can develop a ULD as a result of activities outside the workplace. In this case, employers need to ensure that this person’s tasks do not make the injury worse.
The HSE claims there are in fact recognised business benefits of managing ULDs properly. These are listed as:
-
increased efficiency
-
fewer days lost to sickness absence
-
lower staff replacement and retraining costs
-
reduced risk of litigation
-
lower insurance/compensation costs.
The advice is to reduce risks by changes to the work area or tools used, the way work is done, the way the work is organised (breaks and rotation) or the work environment (lighting and temperature for instance).
Goddard concludes: “There are some innovative solutions around to prevent RSI injuries – for example, there are over 100 different types of computer mice and there is special RSI-guard software that runs on your computer to remind you to do the right things. There are some good employers about too. Ebay for example, has spent a great deal of time and money on designing good ergonomics into their working environments for their 15,000 staff worldwide. But in general there is a lot still to be done.”
Further sources of information about RSI
www.rsi.org.uk
www.hse.gov.uk
Further information – health at work
Benenden Healthcare Society provides practical online advice on Health in the Workplace as well as Corporate Healthcare to contribute to your staff benefits package.
Alternatively, call Benenden Healthcare on 0845 052 5733* for information about personal healthcare.
