Hi one or two staff at our office have requested lighter models of laptops claiming that due to back problems they are too heavy to carry on the train with the charger and battery etc. I have offered to get them laptop trolleys to reduce any manual handling but all staff I suggest this to claim this is impractical if having to go on the train (even though I have used them myself). my concern is that if we are seen to be too much of a soft touch everyone will say 'if you want one of those fancy little new laptops just say you have a bad back'. Currently I am asking for GP notes in support of this. I have received a note from a chiropracter however I dont think they would be sufficiently impartial if employed by the person in question. So in summary, what evidence would you consider reasonable to authorise a new lightweight laptop purchase in order to comply with reasonable adjustments under DDA?

I would have thought that a price comparison against the amount of weight reduced would knock this on head at least until the existing laptops are de-asseted.

Hi yes the users have laptop bags, im still getting email after email about it. This relates to a number of cases including a slipped disc and a degenerative spinal disorder. Im just checking that im within my rights to request a supporting note from a GP before authorising it as I dont think a chiropracter would be entirely impartial, professional ethics or no.

Hi Nick I've had one or two people with similar issues, although not through handling laptops but handling large documents. I went down the route of carrying out a manual handling assessment, and identified wheeled holdalls as being a suitable control. These removed the majority of the physical strain used to handle the documents and kept everyone happy. It looks as though people could be using this as an excuse to get newer laptops. I would suggest that purhcasing brand new laptops goes beyond what is reasonably practicable where a more cost effective solution such as a trolley significantly reduces the risk. Just my thoughts! Stephen

I had this problem a while ago. I had a hernia repair and even when I went back to work, the laptop in a laptop backpack caused discomfort. I then tried a single shoulder computer case which did not help either. Carrying it in my hand and swapping over periodically did not help. For a number of weeks this did cause me back (and front) pain. Just because you are fit to work it does not mean that you are totally recovered muscle repair wise, just that it is nearly there and you are fit to work. The little laptops I have been using in my current role are not expensive. They go out of date by the time you issue them anyway, which could justify upgrades, starting with those who need help? I am not saying that you are not doing what is the right thing. I agree that from the outside you are doing all that Occi health may require. I was in the same situation and I can say that it still hurt, even when the right controls were in place. Sometimes it just does. Just my input.

Probably to do work whilst away from the office - either on the train or at another location. [lots of people do]

nickw, Why do you think a GP would be impartial? My experience is that they write what the patient asks them to write. We are seeing this more and more in the new Fit Note scheme... A