Revamped RSI database aims to reduce repetitive strain injuries

E144:05 14 November 2005

A new database expanding and updating existing information on important Court judgments in repetitive strain injury (RSI) cases, will be of direct and immediate benefit to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) who funded it, and to legal and health professionals working in the field RSI, trade unions, insurers and designers. The longer term aim is reducing the number of sufferers from this debilitating industrial injury.

The work related upper limb disorder (WRULD) database has free access to users who register on www.humanetechnology.co.uk/registered/intro.php and provides details of judgments including the factors that Courts considered important in reaching their decisions, the degree of care exercised by employers and the amount of damages awarded to claimants.

It is estimated that in 2004/05 nearly 375,000 people in Great Britain suffered from a musculoskeletal disorder(MSD) mainly affecting the upper limbs or neck that was caused or made worse by their current or past work. Many working days are lost across a wide range of occupations.

John Price, HSE MSD Programme Manager said: "HSE is supporting this work as it can use this information to help write guidance, which can be interpreted correctly and consistently by employers, employees and the courts. This database is one of several tools that the HSE can use to help evaluate the effectiveness of regulations and guidance."

The database will benefit all those with an interest in work-related RSI, including employers, trade unions, occupational health professionals, lawyers, expert witnesses in medicine and ergonomics, insurers, and people with RSI.

Notes to editors

1. Repetitive strain injury (RSI, also and more accurately known as upper limb disorder) is a term for musculoskeletal problems affecting the hand, wrist, arm, shoulder or neck. These conditions are widespread across a range of industries and jobs, and can be caused by forceful or repetitive work, poor posture or other factors. Computer use and assembly work are frequently associated with ULDs but there are other tasks, which may have higher risks.

2. This project is part of HSE's ongoing programme of biomedical research and supports the HSE Musculoskeletal Disorders Programme, which aims to reduce the incidence of work-related illness involving musculoskeletal disorders, and reduce the number of working days lost.

3. The earlier work to establish the database was also funded by HSE and carried out by Loughborough University. Full details of the findings can be found in HSE's research report RR010 'How the Courts are interpreting HSE guidance and health and safety regulations: An exploratory study of Court Judgements in personal injury claims for WRULDs'.

4. For general information about preventing RSI, back pain and other musculoskeletal disorders, visit www.hse.gov.uk/msd. For detailed advice on how to prevent RSI and help sufferers back to work, see guidance booklet 'Upper limb disorders in the workplace' (HSG60, ISBN 0 7176 1978 8). This is available from HSE Books, price £9.50.

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