Posted By Kieran J Duignan
I want to get a reasonably reliable estimate of keystroke rates of DSE users in offices.

I should be appreciative if you would let me know of any reliable instrument or software for measuring it, and where I can source it/them.

If you have tried to use one or more measures but found them more trouble than they're worth, I should also be appreciative for any information.

(Incidentally, please don't reply: ask a safety ergonomist. I am a registered ergonomist and CMIOSH!)

Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Thanks, Lilian

Regrettably, within the general risk management principle of 'reasonable practicability', I don't regard the practice of either research or learning activities as acceptable references to control for DSE-type injuries.

In the real world, 'distractions' and appropriate 'rest and recuperation' breaks as well as job variation involve radically different parameters.

Posted By Rob T
You could of course just use Word Count on Outlook.

Posted By Rachael Palmer
Kieran,

How about videoing the typist over a given period of time and then replay in slow motion and count the keystrokes.

Rachael

Posted By Alan Nicholls
Hi Kieran

When a document is typed, the keystrokes and word count can be accessed quite easily.

For docs in MY DOCUMENTS Folder RIGHT CLICK on the chosen document icon,this brings up a menue on the bottom of the menu click on PROPERTIES, this brings up another menu with Folder headings. Click on summary, ALL WILL BE REVEALED AS THEY SAY.

Regards Alan N

Posted By JasonGould

This may be too simplistic but what about the Mavis Beacon Typing software.

I never got past 35wpm and never did overtake the car

It is probably less than a tenner now

Again srory if this was not the answer you wanted

Posted By Adrian Watson
Kieran,

Count the pieces of paper! Regardless of the type of output, there will be an industry or business average. This multiplied by the number of pieces of paper will give you the individual's output.

I would expect a competent supervisor to know and measure the business output; too little output means potentially slacking, training needs, or injury; too much output means quality problems, not taking breaks or cutting corners.

Regards Adrian Watson

Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Thanks again for thoughtful and ingenious (if not wacky) ideas.

In this instance, there's never been any question about the competence and commitment of the employee (herself a manager) in several decades' employment with the same company.

Competence and commitment, without adequate risk assessment and management don't safeguard anyone against painful, chronic musculo-skeletal problems, unfortunately.

Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Very briefly, Adrian

My enquiry and later comments indicated that I'm simply checking out in relation to a question by a barrister.

That I happen to already have thought of all you've now written is by the way: some barristers intentionally try to find a basis for the utterly impractical

'With great respect', to coin your phrase, be so kind as to read what I've already indicated clearly and carefully above before donning your papal mitre and crozier in your infallibility again.

Posted By Kieran J Duignan
Thank you, Adrian

Short-term stress reaction on my part, probably.

You and others might find it helpful to get some feedback on the underlying reality.

After I smoked out the solicitor dealing with the case, I figured out that arrogance matched only by his ignorance was, and maybe still is, the root cause of difficulty.

As he is still dragging his feet about finalising particulars of the case, I suspect that the 'Counsel', to whom he referred orally and in writing, is his own alter ego.

Although he cites the DSE Regs, he obviously has either not read the associated Guidance or simply doesn't understand it. He's still mentally back in the days of 'time and motion industrial engineering' and wanted me to endorse his 'Charlie Chaplin' model of workplace pseudo-ergonomics.

Am I just naive in expecting solicitors to be sufficiently literate and committed to understand what they themselves write?

Posted By Graham Lovell
I don’t know if anyone is still reading this but may I say it all comes down to training. My wife when she was an administrator regular typed at 100/125 words a minute. She has her Diploma at Level 3 RSA for text processing. Before this she was trained to type.

However this would not stop her from getting tendon problems etc. For this they need training form the DSE Regs in why the need breaks and to understand what is classed as a break. I.e filing.

Breaks can be difficult for ‘data in-putters’ who do not answer phones etc. and have no let up in their inputting or keyboard/mouse use.

From my experience of undertaking DSE assessments, it’s the training of staff and their Managers/Supervisor to understand this, that is one of the biggest issues, that these persons need breaks and not to flog a dead horse. The user must also understand what to lookout for by way of stains/pain etc. and report it. As well as how to setup their workstation and what exercises a user can do for their arms, back and legs etc.

The last issues to look at is to get users to use the keyboard more and use the mouse (rodent) less or use a tablet etc. It can be gripping the mouse that can cause the stains etc. but straight fast typing overs hours can as well.

Also if laptops are being used for more than a short use, they are set up correctly and have a separate keyboard and mouse.