This document discusses repetitive strain injuries (RSI) in the workplace. It begins by defining RSI and noting its high prevalence among computer users. Common RSIs affecting the hands, wrists, arms and shoulders are then described. The document outlines how an improper workstation setup can contribute to RSIs and provides examples of ergonomically correct and incorrect workstation configurations. Potential adjustments to equipment like keyboards, mice and desks are presented as well as other changes that can help like taking micro-breaks, task rotation and speech recognition software. Employers are advised to take RSIs seriously through prevention measures and training. The summary concludes that dealing with RSI effectively may require trying multiple options and getting an individual ergonomic assessment.

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Dealing with RSI in the
Workplace
AbilityNet Webinar
11 March 2015

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Dealing with RSI in the workplace
RSI and Work-Related Upper
Limb Disorders
What causes them
What is the impact?
What adjustments can help?
Working with what you’ve got
Other specialist options
Top tips
Mobile working
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Welcome
Sarah Irving
AbilityNet
Mark Walker
AbilityNet
Robin Christopherson
AbilityNet

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Helping disabled people
• At Home
• At Work
• In Education
• On the Web
My Computer My Way
Tech4Good Awards
AbilityNet
Adapting Technology. Changing Lives.

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About Repetitive Strain Injuries
8.3m working days lost due to Musculo-Skeletal Disorders 2013/14
Est 15.9 days absence from work for each person - HSE
15-25% of computer users throughout the world may have experienced
RSI - BBC
3 out of 5 office workers in the UK have symptoms of RSI - HSE
Every day 6 people in UK leave their jobs due to an RSI –TUC
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HSE facts about disability
www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/musculoskeletal/index.htm

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About Repetitive Strain Injuries
Also known as
• Upper Limb Disorders
• Work-Related Upper Limb Disorders
• Cumulative Trauma Disorder
Overuse injuries, but not just about repetition
Upper limb, neck and shoulders
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Recognising the symptoms
Prevention better than cure
• Tingling
• Numbness
• Pins and needles
• Aches + pain
• Shoulders, wrist, neck,
elbows
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Common conditions
Hand / Wrist Disorders
• Tendonitis
• Tenosynovitis
• Carpel tunnel syndrome
• De Quervain’s disease
• Trigger finger
• Ganglionic cysts
• Vibration syndrome
Upper Limb – Shoulder / Arm
• Bursitis
• Tendonitis
• Rotator Cuff Tendonitis
• Epicondylitis
• Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

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Median Nerve
Radial Nerves
Carpal Bones
Ulnar Nerve
Carpal Ligament
Wrist Anatomy

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Impact of RSIs
Personal issues
Productivity at work
Legal risks and responsibilities
• Duty of care
• Not specifically about disabled people
• Could be linked to Equalities Act
• Reasonable adjustments
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Dealing with RSIs
Traditional setup is often a problem
• Keyboards with number pad
• Mouse – wired/ball
• Corner/curved desks
• Chair and seating position
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An example bad workstation.....
Cacti grow well
in hot dry
environments
Incorrect
positioning of
desk lamp
Feet not firmly on
the floor
Cushion pressing into
underside of thigh
Back not supported by
the backrest
Keyboard at an angle
increasing angle at wrist
Neck twisted
to look at
monitor
Monitor
not
positioned
head on
Using mouse too
far away causing
strain on
shoulder

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Dealing with RSIs
Work with you’ve got
Specialist equipment
Other changes
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Working with what you’ve got
• Hold the mouse correctly
• Sit at the correct height
• Don’t reach to the mouse – as close as you can
• Have your screen at the right height
• Keyboard close enough
• Curved desk – sit central to the curve
• Learning keyboard shortcuts
• My Computer My Way
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Mice
Wireless mouse
Vertical mouse
Bar mouse
Trackball mouse
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Keyboards
Compact keyboard and keypad
Split keyboard
Natural keyboard
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Other equipment
Palm support
Document holder
Wrist support
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Other changes that can help
Micro-breaks
Work pattern and job rotation
Learning touch typing
Speech to text
• Dictation
• Controlling the computer
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Laptops, mobiles, tablets
Always try to use
• Raiser
• Separate screen
• Keyboard
• Mouse
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An example good workstation…..
Monitor approximately at
eye height and an arms
length awayHead up
Feet firmly
on a footrestOnly moderate
pressure at the
front of the seat
cushion
Eyes looking
forward to
most of the
time
Back erect
and
supported
Shoulders
relaxed
Hands in line
with the
forearms
Reference material
is easy to look at

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What employers can do
• Task variation + task rotation – esp data input
• Allow breaks
• Temperature of workspace
• Don’t issue full keyboard unless they definitely need it
• Take it seriously - prevention is better than cure
• Training for employees and line managers
• Eg disability awareness training for line managers
• Maintain the information that you offer staff
• Monitor sickness rates that relate to RSI
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Summary: Dealing with RSI
• One size doesn’t fit all
• Try different options
• Try different brands
• Take micro-breaks
• Move around during the day
• Get an assessment
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