Minimising Risks
Workplace health & safety
All employers, and the self employed, have Statutory and Common Law duties to ensure the health, safety and welfare of their employees. Employees have a duty to look after their own (or others affected by their work) health and safety, and to follow training etc and use equipment etc in a safe manner.
The Health and Safety at Work Etc. Act 1974 covers this in high level, general wording.
The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992 which cover the use of computers, require specific Risk Assessments of users’ workstations to minimise or eliminate risks. Risk Assessments must also be undertaken for home workstations or other forms of flexible working (e.g. use of laptops).
The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 require work equipment to be suitable for the purpose and that risks to the health or safety of users are either prevented or adequately controlled (minimised to an acceptable level). Examples of work equipment that might cause RSI (or related problems, such as Vibration White Finger etc) include production line equipment, power drills, strimmers, machine cutters, staplers etc.
Upper Limb Disorders: Assessing The Risks (External link)
Additional information on workplace health and safety
Minimising Risks
General Lifestyle
Ergonomics
Alternative Technology
Workplace Health & Safety
What can you do
General
Reporting Hazards
Stress Management
Workplace Assessements
Trade Union
What can your employer do
General
Work Culture
Tasks & Equipment
The Individual
Physical Environment
Monitoring Health / Stress Management
Code of Practice
What is RSI - Conditions & RSI - Treatment & Managing RSI - Advice & Research - RSI Hazards