Know your enemy: RSI

As part of RSI Awareness Week (February 23rd to 29th) ZDNet UK has produced a Special Report on the problem including articles on how to avoid injury, interviews with ergonomics experts, reviews of the latest alternative input devices and a list of useful software tools to remind you to take regular breaks.

The RSI Association, the organisation behind RSI Awareness Week, claims 1 in 50 UK workers have reported RSI symptoms with around 5.4 million working days lost per year due to the problem. The association's information manager Richard Southorn claims employers should take the opportunity of RSI Awareness Week to review their internal processes, making sure that the latest ergonomic advice is being followed, that staff are encouraged to report symptoms and that remedial action is quick and effective.

Southorn claims employees must feel comfortable in talking to their manager about any concerns they have regarding their workstations. "Managers should use this information to sort out any problems in negotiation with their staff. It’s very much a two-way process," he says.

There's a lot of information about the causes of RSI and how to avoid it on the RSI Association Web site. You can also call their helpline on 0800 018 5012.