Why should businesses worry about RSI?

 

RSI has been described as ‘the industrial disease of the 21st century’. Even the most cursory look at statistics on RSI and Upper Limb Disorders indicate that most companies are likely to be affected at some point. EU research in 2004 found incidence of musculoskeletal disorders up from 18% -24% in professionals and from 23%-31% in technicians - on 1995 figures.( Source EU Business) and a recent survey of UK small businesses found that one in five staff were suffering from musculoskeletal injuries. Any illness or absenteeism has direct and indirect costs to your company through lost working hours, sick pay, extra wages for replacement staff and delays. Add to this the costs of investigating work place injuries, and the potential for claims against you, and the costs to your company for each sufferer can be high.

‘In addition to our moral and legal duties, no company in today’s competitive climate can afford the financial losses associated with ill health.’ CEO SW Water

 Providing quality health training not only protects you from these costs but also indicates to your staff that you are aware of their well being in the work place and prepared to invest in maintaining it. The UK health and Safety Executive, after investigating RSI and the success of RSI training, stated:

‘‘Preventative measures are cost effective’

Research in the US has shown that for every $1 invested in strategies to prevent conditions such as RSI in an office environment there is a return of $17.8

(Source: Buckle 1999)

 

Facts about the costs of RSI to business

1. Employees suffering from RSI

·        10% of sick notes in London, England are written for RSI according to recent  
         research cited in the London Evening Standard. 

·        An employee suffering from RSI takes an average of 18.9 sick days per year due to
         the condition. (HSE Figure)

·        The DTI estimates that the direct and indirect costs to business per sick day at
         £230.

·        Every RSI sufferer who remains in work is likely to cost the company an average of
        £4300 per year.

·        Over five million working days a year are lost to RSI in the UK (Source: Buckle
        and Devereux / RSIA/TUC)

·        The cost to UK industry is between £5 billion and £20 billion annually. (Source:
         Buckle and Devereux / RSIA)

2. Employees retired due to RSI

·        Disorders of the upper limbs account for 80% of all workplace compensation
      claims.

·        Everyday in the UK six people leave their jobs due to RSI (source TUC)

·        A recent appeal court ruling against a high Street bank paid out a total of £60,000 to five
        former employees suffering from RSI. The total bill for damages and costs-£750,000

  

Employer’s legal obligations regarding RSI

  

Employers have Statutory and Common Law duties to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Aside from any issues of blame, it is vital that employers comprehend the full consequences of RSI and its prevalence in the office environment. Organisations must take practical steps to reduce the expenses related to sickness absence, premature retirement and lost productivity due to RSI.

RSI is covered by a variety of Health and Safety legislation including:  The Health and Safety at Work Act 1999 which requires employers to:

·        Avoid risk where possible

·        Assess risks that cannot be avoided

·        Combat risks at source

·        Adapt the working environment of the individual

·        Implement risk prevention measures to form a coherent policy and approach

·        Ensure employees understand the control measures

·        Encourage a positive health and safety culture

 

The Display Screen Equipment regulations 1992 state:

·        Using display screen equipment leads to upper limb disorders and back pain

·        Employers are required to identify users of display screen equipment and provide training and information

 Further to UK legislation, The European Commission has expressed concern at the growing incidence of Musculoskeletal disorders in the European workforce. For the last two years the Commission has been consulting workers and employers on how to best deal with the growing problem of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

 ‘MSDs such as back pain and repetitive strain injury are the biggest health and safety problem facing European workers today, says the EU executive, and now affects over 40 million workers in all sectors across the EU. Accounting for 40 to 50 per cent of all work-related ill health, they account for losses of 0.5 to 2 per cent of gross national product (GNP) every year.

 Not all EU Member States have passed laws to tackle the problem, and the Commission is now asking workers and employers to say how they think these gaps in the law at national and Community level should be plugged to prevent the problem from getting out of hand.

 Its document highlights the problems for business that arise from these disorders, including loss of production, sick leave, medical, compensation and insurance costs, as well as the loss of experienced staff and the cost of recruiting and training new workers.’

(Source EU Business)

 Companies employing staff in the US need to be aware that many states have legislated on RSI prevention. The US government has legislated on RSI and ordered businesses to provide protection in the work place.

 "Work-related musculo-skeletal disorders such as back injuries and carpal tunnel syndrome are the most prevalent, most expensive and most preventable workplace injuries in the country," US labour secretary, Alexis Herman