RSI & Keyboard Operators
Last updated: 07/09/2006 - 10:43
The RSI Association* explains the issue of keyboard-related RSI in the workplace.
How Employers Can Help
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a preventable disease, but effective prevention requires that employers should take RSI seriously, both in the interests of good management, and for the health, safety and welfare of their employees, as required under the terms of the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1974.
They should recognise that the work associated with electronically operated keyboard equipment may constitute a health hazard, and act accordingly. Keyboard operators should not be treated as adjuncts, to machines that may be discarded, and replaced, if they break down.
As from January 1 1993, employers have had to conform to the Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations. Workstations, in force prior to 31 December 1992 should have been adapted, to comply with the requirements, by the end of 1996.
They, as well as trades unions and medical practitioners, may seek advice and guidance on the effects of health on particular types of work from the Employment Medical Advisory Service (EMAS) which is part of the Medical Division of the Health and Safety Executive, and from the environmental health departments of local authorities.
Regulations
The Health And Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations state that employers must:
Employers seeking guidance on measures that will help to prevent RSI should refer, particularly, to the HSE publication Display Screen Equipment Work Guidance and Regulations available for £5. The RSI Association produces a guide called Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Information Pack, aimed at employers, and those who work on computers. It contains guidance on the use of VDU's, including the use of laptop computers.
Working Practices
Employers should seek to create working conditions that, as far as possible, will either prevent RSI, or catch it early if it should occur.
Employees engaged upon work requiring repeated rapid movements should be informed that a risk of RSI might exist. They should be offered advice, and guidance, for reducing the risk, and for recognising the symptoms, as soon as they become evident.
Sound and sensible working practices, for employees employing staff on electronic keyboard work, require that management should:
1. Provide working conditions based upon sound ergonomics.
The supervisors and workers should be educated in, and be aware of, the importance of:
Breaks and changes of activity.
2. Introduce a programme of training, to inform employees how they should use their workstations, thus ensuring that maximum benefit is derived from any changes. It would be advisable to enlist an expert, to help in this.
3. Create harmonious relationships with staff to ensure good and open communications on all matters affecting the health, safety and welfare of employees.
4. Encourage workers to report, immediately, the appearance of RSI symptoms, so that the firm's medical officer may see them, or visit their own doctor.
5. Refrain from exerting undue pressure, upon staff, to secure maximum output. Bonuses, and rates of pay, related to hourly rates of keying, should be avoided. Ideally no more than four hours, per day, should be spent on keying operations.
6. Allow keyboard operators to govern the pace at which they work, and to have regular breaks. (Many physiotherapists recommend five minutes, every half hour.) Employees should use any rest periods to walk about, or take exercise, rather than to stay put at their desks.
7. Arrange a system of job rotation, if this is possible, or re-structure jobs, to reduce the amount of repetitive keyboard work. The new tasks, however, should not continue to overload the same muscles, and tendons.
8. Ensure that operators do not aggravate their condition, by continuing keyboarding, after RSI symptoms have appeared. RSI, in its various forms, is an upper limb overuse injury, and prevention consists in avoiding the overuse of muscles, and joint ligaments. For recovery, early treatment, and rest, are essential.
9. Keep confidential records, of the incidence of RSI among employees.
Employers, says the RSI association, should be aware that many doctors are not well informed about RSI, and examination, diagnosis and treatment of the condition may be inadequate. This may add severely to the problems, mental and physical, of RSI sufferers.
Information provided by the RSI Association - visit the website for more detailed information - including an excellent medical glossary of terms a series of downloadable facts sheets, the chance to sign-up for regular email updates, self-help/information pages and details for contacting local support groups.
NB: As of 2004 the RSI Association no longer exists and is not contactable. The website link above is maintained as a resource only by the Keytools organisation - a business who supply equipment to enhance the human-computer interface, with particular reference to people whose livelihoods depend on being able to use a computer for long periods of time. In terms of managing RSI and MSDs, Keytools also produce regular newsletters on musculoskeletal issues amongst computer workers - particularly for professionals working in occupational health. More info is available here.
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