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Posted By Alan G
Hi Everyone,
Can you help?
I have a staff member that has been diagnosed with RSI, we have provided her with physio and a MALTRON key board but still she is get no better could anyone give me some guidance on what next I could do to help them.
Thanks
Alan
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Posted By Chris Black
Alan
There is no point in supplying new equipment or organising clinical interventions unless you have carried out a full ergonomic assessment of the workstation as used by your colleague and a diagnosis from an occ-health practitioner who is experienced in this area.
Any controls or remedies implemented must be based on valid, scientificaly collected information. I should add that unless you are
trained and experienced in using a specific ergonomic assessment tool then you need to employ a specialist ergonomist who can provide proof of competency. this may seem like an expensive option but you will find that you spend a fortune buying different pieces of kit to try and find a remedy, but all expenses pale into insignificance compared to what you will pay in legal costs and compensation in the event of a properly submitted claim. By trying piecemeal improvements you are actually helping the individuals case since a good lawyer will sieze on anything that they can present as a lack of understanding on the employers part.
Your colleague may well be a well-intentioned person who acts in good faith, unfortunately you are now in the position of having to consider each move carefully and strike a balance between how much you can help her without compromising your employer further.
I am currently managing a case of suspected RSI. suspected because after six weeks the subject's GP has still to deliver a written diagnosis to allow us to report under RIDDOR (you have reported, i assume). I am now arranging a referral to a company OH physician. ongoing dialogue with the sufferer has shown that her problem is worse at weekends than it is at work, this doesn't mean that work is not the cause but experience suggests that her condiditon might well be a symptom of acute trauma with extended recovery time rather than than a cumulative trauma disorder, you might want to consider that as well.
Finally, having dealt with several cases over the years the one thing you can rely on is that recovery and reduction in symptoms is liable to take months rather than weeks, even where the most appropriate interventions have been delivered at the first possible opportunity, you might find the protracted period over which you will deal with this as a bit of a pain however that is minor compared to the pain felt by a genuine sufferer.
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Posted By Neil Pearson
You must enlist the help of a qualified occupational health physician. Such people can help you manage the case. They will review the medical notes from an occupational point of view and advise on steps that might help.
I have known ergonomic keyboards to help in some cases, but solutions have to be carefully chosen and targeted.
You should ask the occ health people for a clinical diagnosis. RSI is not a clinical term, it's too vague. Where and what exactly is the injury? The person concerned should be asked if they are willing for their medical details to be shared with you so you can work with the occ health people on this.
The proper diagnosis is also important because some forms of RSI are reportable under RIDDOR. But you need to know what form you're dealing with.
As well as the diagnosis, also ask for an opinion on whether work could have led to, or contributed to, the injury, and to what extent. And what steps are needed to rehabilitate the person.
Other possible measures that might help (depending on the actual injury) include job rotation, extra personnel, use of keyboard shortcuts (instead of a mouse), sitting at a different height relative to the desk, out of work activities etc.
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Rank: Guest
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Posted By Alan G
Thanks to all that have replied all help is much appreciated.
Thank you
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