Rank: Forum user 
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Hi
I’m interested in peoples’ computer related WRULD rates.
We have a staff of about 140, of which approximately 70 are full time computer workstation users.
Over the past few months we’ve had 8 people report WRULD. This varies from sore neck/shoulder/back, wrist, forearm type of thing.
This is a rate of about 11% since it is happening in our full time computer users.
I think this rate is high but what is the experience of others.
And just to forestall the obvious we do have an online training and self assessment system that works pretty well. And I do record all these reports, and refer them on to Occupational Health.
I’m more concerned with the increased reporting. It is obviously something I’m concerned about but I’d like to know what incident rate others find, if that’s possible.
I’m aware of changes in the company that are affecting moral but before I can make this case I need to know if this rate is unusual.
Thanks as ever.
Graham
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Hi Graham,
I wouldn't say this was particularly high, its around the percentage I see. Have they reported it before? How long have they been users? The main point I have found is talking to those affected really does help, instead of a computer telling them what to do to make things better. I send out report chasers but also email them on a personal level if they are busy or meet them in person so they don't feel barked at. So far the only people I haven't been able to help too well are those with chronic conditions who have suffered for a long time, then that is Occ Health's remit. You will find through times of stress or low morale this can pick up, and if the level of reprting has gone up then there may well be a case there- I've certainly had it here.
Jodie
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Rank: Super forum user
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Its easy sometimes to be judgemental without all the facts from post on here so I apologise before I begin if I misread the information. Jodieclark offers some good advice, BUT if 11% of your VDU users are really suffering WRULD from their work activities do you really need to ask if that acceptable? Would you accept 11% of warehouse staff off with bad backs or 11% of drivers after crashing their vehicles, 11% of your cleaners with occupational dermatitis or 11% of any workforce being made ill or injured by their work activities?
If someone truly has WRULD this is very serious it’s not just about a few aches and pains at work it can become a debilitating condition. If this was my workplace I would be carrying out detailed investigations with this 11% to find out what the true picture is and if something was going very wrong with our work activities.
Brian
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Rank: Super forum user
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Brian,
I understand this. I am very new to health and safety (2 and a half months on the job), and this is why i think the percentage is similar to mine. It is very easy for people to put on a slight tweek that is nothing, hence why I speak to them first before anything else to draw the simple measures out. I mentioned some that as far as I know I can't help because they have pre-existing conditions and they automatically go through occ health, so I am trying to stamp out the ones who don't get what the risk assessment is trying to do- its there to help people who genuinely need it and help people understand the importance of a safe and comfortable workspace. I have also found those that I have had to nudge a bit to do the training are the ones coming back with the WRULD results, so I think its a bit of tit for tat type thing.
Thank you though Brian for your insight, I appreciate it
Jodie
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Rank: Forum user
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Dear Both
Thanks for your replies. This is indeed worrying me and I agree the 11% of staff being injured by their work is totally unacceptable.
The reports I’m getting are people saying they are just beginning to get problems. And when I go and look at their set up there is almost always something I can improve. And once I’ve intervened the symptoms improve almost every time. We refer to Occy Health if there’s no improvement after making the changes.
As Jodie suggests it’s a compliance issue really and I was wondering if this level of incorrect application of on-line instruction is about right.
Thanks
Graham
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Rank: Super forum user 
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Graham wrote: when I go and look at their set up there is almost always something I can improve. Self-assessment etc. is all very well. What about the competency of supervision - a statutory requirement?
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Rank: Forum user
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Ron, of course, the perennial issue of 'Supervision', now wouldn't that be nice :-).
Nicer still if we could ensure competency.
Unfortunately in my field promotion to managerial positions is not predicated upon managerial skill - Don't ask why,,,,
Just something I have to live with, since to a large extent it also applies to me :-(.
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Rank: Super forum user 
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I have to agree that 11 per cent is very high; as a comparison we have 700 workers in our London office, about 450 are using DSE almost all day (with appropriate breaks of course) and we get a very few reports of WRULD, a handful per year.
Graham, I have just come from a very clinical environment, and I have to say I feel for you on the management promotion bit....
John
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