The term ‘work-related upper limb disorders’ is used to group together soft tissue injuries of the neck and upper limbs that are caused or exacerbated by work activities. some of these conditions are clinically diagnosable, for example carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis while others are non-specific.

The term RSI refers to pain in the arm associated with computer work.

The most common symptoms are pain, reduced joint movement and swelling of the affected area. If there is nerve involvement there can be numbness and other abnormal sensations and even loss of function.

The term ‘repetitive strain injury’ (RSI) is often used to refer to pain in the arm associated with computer work. The nature of the arm and hand activities is repetitive and this can lead to strain injuries.

In 2006 nearly half a million people in the UK suffered from some form of RSI. With the increasingly intensive use of keyboards and keypads this figure is likely to rise. According to Microsoft, repetitive strain injuries cost UK businesses £300 million every year.

Now that we have looked at the extent of the problem let’s consider the causes.

Mouse use is a risk factor for neck and wrist discomfort.

Activities that involve force, repetitive movements and awkward postures particularly when the joint is near the end of its range of movement can cause damage to muscles and joints. A lack of rest breaks prevents recovery and adds to the problem. Other causes include lifting and handling, direct pressure on body tissues, vibration and cold work environments.

Research has shown that poorly set up workstations and the static activity of working on computers is linked to more musculoskeletal discomfort. Poor posture, incorrectly set up workstations and bad work habits contribute to RSI. Mouse use, particularly the arm posture involved, is a risk factor for musculoskeletal symptoms including neck and wrist discomfort.

Back, neck and joint pain and RSI are the most prevalent occupational illnesses

This is another bit of jargon that Physiotherapists and Ergonomists use all the time and assume everyone else knows what they mean! We are not trying to ‘blind you with science’. It really is in our best interest that you can understand what we are talking about.

Musculoskeletal disorders, or MSDs as you will sometimes see it written, are quite simply disorders of the muscles and skeleton. Muscles are self-explanatory but instead of skeleton we mean joints and the ligaments, tendons and the other ‘soft tissues’ around them. So in other words ‘musculoskeletal disorders’ is the collective term for strains, sprains and overuse injuries affecting soft tissues and joints.

Did you know?

MSD including back, neck and joint pain and RSI are the most prevalent occupational illnesses in Great Britain. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE 2007) over one million people are affected each year. Of these back disorders are the most common form of ill health at work. In 2005/06 an estimated 437 000 people suffered from a disorder mainly affecting their back, and 374 000 people from a disorder mainly affecting their upper limbs or neck, that were caused or made worse by their current or past work. The cost to employers of work-related musculoskeletal disorders is estimated to be between £590 million and £624 million with 9.5 million working days lost each year.

The term ‘ergonomic’ is used a lot these days (and in some cases, over used) but what does it actually mean? The word comes from the Greek ergos which means ‘work’ and nomos which means ‘natural law’ and it is the science of human work. To put it more simply it is the use of science to improve the ‘fit’ between people and their work. Other terms are used for this including ‘Human Factors’ but that does not explain it any better

Ergonomics improves the ‘fit’ between people and their work.

To achieve this, ergonomists make the person the priority and adjust the workplace to fit the user rather than adjusting the user to fit the workplace! To assess the ‘fit’ they have to take into account characteristics of the person and of the work and the interaction between them. These include the tasks being done, the equipment and information being used and the physical and social environment; the body size of the worker, his/her strength, posture and senses and also some psychological aspects.

And the purpose of all of this is not just to make the worker more comfortable although that does play a part. Ergonomic interventions in the workplace reduce accidents and injuries, reduce absenteeism and improve productivity. Isn’t that what we all want?

A poor sitting position can lead to back problems

Are you sitting comfortably? You might think so, but bad posture at your desk and a poorly adjusted chairs can cause long term damage to your overall health, including back-pain, neck problems and RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury).

With this in mind Workable Solutions have produced a free guide to help you improve your working position and posture to minimise risk of injury whilst using a computer, keyboard or mouse. We’ve also created a second guide to help you choose the right chair for your office.

Both of these guides are available to download from our web site free of charge. The guides are in PDF format and can be downloaded here:
http://www.workablesolutions.co.uk/ergonomic-guides.asp

Welcome to the Workable Solutions Weblog. This blog is designed to complement our existing web site and we shall be publishing news, advice and information on Workplace Ergonomics. Providing tips to both employees and employers on how to avoid injuries  and comply with Health and Safety legislation.