5 years ago... Dangermouse?

08.01.99: The UK Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is to fund a two-year study into the effects of using computer input devices such as touch screens, joysticks and the mouse.

The Universities of Surrey and Loughborough will carry out the research, which will focus on musculoskeletal pain caused by the use of non-keyboard input options.

Valerie Woods, research fellow at the University of Surrey's Robens Centre for Health Ergonomics, says the study will not be confined to office workers, but will consider wider uses in, for example, the manufacturing sector.

Woods feels the study will produce better guidelines on the design of input devices and how users should arrange their workstations. The researchers will begin by asking IT managers and users how the devices are used and positioned.

"We're suspicious that there may be problems, especially in aches and pains in the upper limbs," said Woods. "That could be caused by poor posture or by the force used with these devices. Not much force is used, but it could be quite repetitive."

Woods also pointed out that problems arise when employees don't take adequate breaks and keep their hands in one position for too long.

08.01.04:Understanding of Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) still fluctuates between recognising it as an ailment or berating it as an urban myth or an affliction of the feeble.

For some it is a case of assuming people are trying to pull a fast one - get signed off work and have an easy life, 'just because their arm happens to ache a bit'. For others, including much of the medical community, it is an accepted and serious side effect of working in offices with computers where repetitive tasks and bad posture are a way of life.

Instances of compensation cases and litigation are growing and more an more the onus is being shifted onto the employer to ensure staff are taught to sit properly and ensure their posture is compliant with the 'best practice' of health and safety.

HSBC Bank was one of the earliest high profile cases. The bank was ordered to pay costs of £600,000 to five employees who claimed their jobs had injured them, but it certainly won't be the last and it's unlikely to be the most costly as more and more sufferers come forward seeking compensation.

The subject of RSI is set to gain even more attention next month as National RSI Awareness week kicks off on 23 February.