rsi and work

LegacyUser

is there any obligation for a workplace to provide special ergonomic mice, keyboard, footrest for example to someone with very bad tendonitis? any request for such keyboard, footrest has been refused so far, not sure what to do.

curehead

i believe so i know from working in big company's everything has to be ergonomically correct IE proper seating for computer foot rests mouse mats with wrist support all that stuff everything has to be about health and safety these days i'm not sure who governs all of this though , the places i work in had health and safety personnel who's look after all that surely the union rep would be responsible for this to make sure the staff are looked after ?

dudara

Moved to the Work Problems forum

dudara

tenchi-fan

You might have a problem getting "ergonomic mice, keyboard" because most keyboard manufacturers won't put such health claims on their devices. As for seats, what makes you think your chair isn't the correct standard? Some ergonomically designed chairs are very uncomfortable with stiff backs!

You could buy a wrist support thingy for a few quid yourself. Same goes for foot rests.

If you had have said one thing it might be a reasonable request but you're looking for trouble if you make frivolous demands.

krankykitty

I had an ongoing issue with my wrist which would affect me when using keyboard in work, however the physiotherapist gave me a splint to use when typing, at first I used it all the time and then cut down. It really helped. Now I still get occasional pain but will use the splint and do the exercises/stretches given and it will calm down. I don't use any of the "ergonomic" stuff apart from a mousemat with a spongy wrist rest, and i used to have a keyboard wrist rest which I don't use any more. To be honest, they did feck all anyway for the pain until I started using the splint and doing the exercises.

Some pain relieving gel can also be useful such as Voltarol.

Perhaps a physio will be able to advise you about this.

Jo King

You are entitled to have a personalised workstation analysis carried out and paid for by your employer. The employer will have to provide any equipment recommended.
It is a requirement of the Health & Safety Act 2005 and the regulations made under it that your employer has a safety statement and has identified all risks in the workplace.

jimoc

Also, the person carrying out the analysis has to be properly trained to do so.
The boss sitting in your chair, twiddling the mouse and saying 'thats grand, stop compaining' won't be sufficient.

Firetrap

Just wondering. Does an employer leave themselves open to litigation if they fail to provide someone with these?

JCC

Yes, in short you are, but only provided that and ergonomic assessment has been carried out on your workstation first, and has identified a requirement for any specialist equipment.

The legislation your looking for is the DSE (Display Screen Equipment) part of the Regulations from 2007.

As a DSE assessor, I can tell you that the main thing people are doing incorrectly at their desk is setting up wrong! Sitting directly in front of your screen, adjusting your seat etc - simple things that can be done to make you more comfortable, as well as regular rest breaks (walking to a photocopier, getting a drink of coffee/water, standing up while on the phone etc), are also necessary.

Ask for an assessment, especially if you have tendonitis, an assessor will be able to elaborate on the above and recommend the best way for you to work at your desk. If you have been diagnosed with tendonitis by a medical professional, I would bring a medical cert to your employer/HR dept explaining the need for it.

Rabid50

I got tenosenovitis and it went from pain to intermittent paralysis. I got cured by taking Orudis 200mg 3 a day for 3 weeks. Now I am 71 wpm and no RSI.

Stheno

tenchi-fan wrote: »

You might have a problem getting "ergonomic mice, keyboard" because most keyboard manufacturers won't put such health claims on their devices. As for seats, what makes you think your chair isn't the correct standard? Some ergonomically designed chairs are very uncomfortable with stiff backs!

You could buy a wrist support thingy for a few quid yourself. Same goes for foot rests.

If you had have said one thing it might be a reasonable request but you're looking for trouble if you make frivolous demands.

There are devices designed to be more ergononically friendly and marketed as such

JCC wrote: »

Yes, in short you are, but only provided that and ergonomic assessment has been carried out on your workstation first, and has identified a requirement for any specialist equipment.

The legislation your looking for is the DSE (Display Screen Equipment) part of the Regulations from 2007.

As a DSE assessor, I can tell you that the main thing people are doing incorrectly at their desk is setting up wrong! Sitting directly in front of your screen, adjusting your seat etc - simple things that can be done to make you more comfortable, as well as regular rest breaks (walking to a photocopier, getting a drink of coffee/water, standing up while on the phone etc), are also necessary.

Ask for an assessment, especially if you have tendonitis, an assessor will be able to elaborate on the above and recommend the best way for you to work at your desk. If you have been diagnosed with tendonitis by a medical professional, I would bring a medical cert to your employer/HR dept explaining the need for it.

I once had the opposite of this, I worked in a hotdesk environment, and we were provided with laptop risers, mice and keyboards.

however, I have very long legs, and using them meant I was straining my neck trying to comply with company policy.

The effectiveness of H&S in that scenario was when they checked and questioned why I didn't use the devices, they did an assessment and agreed the desk height was wrong for me, but couldn't be changed as I hotdesked, so I was exempt

Mrs OBumble

As the OP's wrist was originally sore in 2010, I suspect it's probably cured by now ;-)

Closed.