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RSI
| WHAT
IS REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY?
RSI is a general term for a
group of musculo-skeletal disorders involving all or part of the upper
limbs including the neck. RSI is not well known because it takes the form
of disorders named after the part of the body affected, or the occupation
with which they are associated, such as tennis elbow.
The common factor is that RSI
may be caused by the overloading or overuse of certain soft tissues such
as muscles and tendons, i.e. by sustained work requiring the use of the
same muscle groups continuously.
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| WHAT
CAUSES REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY?
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WHAT
ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF RSI?
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In the arms and hands:
 | aching
| pain, even after rest
| weakness
| swelling
| tenderness
| numbness
| pins and needles |
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In the shoulders or neck:
| stiffness
| aching |
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HOW
CAN KEYBOARD USERS PREVENT REPETITIVE STRAIN INJURY?
 Prevention
is aided by correct typing techniques, taking regular breaks from the
keyboard, adjusting furniture and positioning screens at eye level.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS ARE:
1. Keyboard skills
training:
| Keyboard users should be
trained to use all ten fingers |
2. Breaks:
| Display screen work must
be regularly interrupted |
3. Display screen:
| Positioned at eye-level
| Clean, stable image, with
adjustable contrast and brightness
| Able to tilt and swivel
and free of reflective glare |
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4. Keyboard:
| Tiltable and separate from
the screen
| Space in front sufficient
to provide support for user's hands and arms.
| Surface of keyboard must
be non-reflective
| Key symbols must be clear
and keys well spaced |
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5. Work desk / surface:
| Sufficiently large to
allow flexible arrangement of screen, keyboard, documents and related
equipment |
6. Work chair:
| Stable and must allow
freedom of movement
| Seat height and back must
be adjustable |
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7. Footrests and wrist
rests:
| Should be available to
users if required
| If not used wrists should
be held up, not leaning on desk surface |
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RSI
IN THE WORKPLACE
Annually costing £1
billion in sick pay in the UK, RSI is a major problem in a third of all
workplaces, affecting up to 200,000 workers every year. Recent research
shows that people who work with computers are more likely to suffer from
RSI than be involved in a car accident according to the Trades Union
congress. Legal and safety experts are concerned that RSI related health
problems could escalate if employers do not implement proper safeguards
and training.
New tough labour laws have
been passed in the USA governing all forms of Repetitive Strain Injury
from lifting right through to keyboard skills. It's more important than
ever to take preventative action.
Essential in any prevention
strategy is the need to train people in keyboard skills. There's no
quicker or easier way to do this than with KAZ.
KAZ Guardian Angel is a
FREE program that helps prevent RSI. Running in the background, it
monitors the persons use of the keyboard and mouse relevant to their
typing ability. Unobtrusive micro-breaks and longer breaks are provided
with simple exercises to help prevent the problem occurring. The program
also keeps a record of how people are doing in relation to the suggested
breaks.
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