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 Home Health and Safety Health and Safety News
Shop floor risk of RSI
06 March 2007
Following International RSI Awareness Day on 24 February, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) has warned that workers on the shop floor are more susceptible to repetitive strain injury (RSI) than professionals and managers.
Work-related upper limb disorders, popularly known as RSI, affect over 370,000 people in Great Britain with 86,000 new cases recorded last year. This costs employers almost £300 million in lost working time, sick pay and administration.
Further information can be found at the CSP website. The CSP has issued a fact sheet giving top tips on RSI prevention for manual workers and for office workers. Advice includes:
- try to avoid prolonged or repetitive tasks - if on a production line, try working from different work stations in half-hour periods to allow you to use different muscles
- use both hands - pick one item with your left hand then one with your right
- take more short breaks rather than one long one - use the time to stretch your arms and legs
- make sure your clothes fit well so you can move freely
- keep warm - cold muscles don't extend properly
- don't over stretch to perform a task - move closer
- report pain or other symptoms straight away - RSI is easier to treat in its early stages
Workers often will not have enough control over their working conditions to follow the advice. The CSP argues that employers must:
- provide assessments for each staff member to see what risks are associated with their job and how best to combat these
- encourage early reporting of any symptoms and provide access to appropriate help, such as consulting an occupational physiotherapist
- ensure employees are able to organise their work and take regular breaks.
Contact Details
Health and Safety section
Ph: 0161 249 2441
Fax: 0161 249 2475
Email: healthandsafety@usdaw.org.uk
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