Factory workers three times as likely to develop repetitive strain injury as managers, warn physiotherapists

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Published: 22 Feb 2007

Factory workers rather than managers are most at risk from repetitive strain injury (RSI), the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) warned today (22 February) in advance of RSI Awareness Day (24 February).

Work-related upper limb disorders, popularly known as RSI, affect over 370,000 people in Great Britain with 86,000 new cases recorded last year. This costs employers almost £300 million in lost working time, sick pay and administration.

However, RSI is usually preventable or treatable with help from an occupational physiotherapist.

Health and Safety Executive figures analysed by the Labour Research Department for the CSP show that the jobs where workers are most likely to get RSI are:

• Metal, plastics, textile and other plant and machine workers (1.1 per 100 workers)
• Bricklayers, plumbers, carpenters and others in skilled trades (0.91)
• Nurses, journalists and IT technicians, in associated professional and technical occupations (0.76)

The jobs with lowest rates were professionals (0.32) and managers (0.36, see Table A).

Regional variations are marked. The North East of England has the highest rate of RSI (1.3 per 100 workers), followed by Wales (1.2). London has the lowest rate (0.59, see Table B).

CSP Chair and Chartered Physiotherapist Sarah Bazin said:

'Employers are losing hundreds of millions of pounds every year through RSI. This is totally unnecessary as RSI can often be avoided. Physiotherapists can help prevent and treat this debilitating condition.

'We urge all employers to use occupational health physiotherapists. Physios can advise on appropriate equipment and safe working practices for staff. Taking regular, short breaks throughout the day and reporting symptoms early on can help. Employers who invest in the health of their workforce can expect to see a reduction in sickness absence and a more productive workforce.'

Group Head of Health for the Royal Mail Dr Su Wang comments:

Many jobs within the Royal Mail involve physical duties. Through the use of a Functional Restoration Programme, including physiotherapy, we estimate that we have saved in excess of £1 million pounds a year, costs we would otherwise have incurred through absence and restricted duties. The programme has also been of benefit as we have been able to retain experienced staff and it has helped to foster good relationships with our workforce.'

To mark RSI Awareness Day (24 February) the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy offers some top tips on how to avoid RSI and some advice for employers

For manual workers:

• try to avoid prolonged or repetitive tasks - if on a production line, try working from different work stations in half-hour periods to allow you to use different muscles
• use both hands - pick one item with your left hand then one with your right
• take more short breaks rather than one long one - use the time to stretch your arms and legs
• make sure your clothes fit well so you can move freely
• keep warm - cold muscles don't extend properly
• don't over stretch to perform a task - move closer
• report pain or other symptoms straight away - RSI is easier to treat in its early stages

Employers can make a big difference to the health of their workers while at the same time improving the productivity and profits of their business. The CSP wants to see employers:

• provide assessments for each staff member to see what risks are associated with their job and how best to combat these
• encourage early reporting of any symptoms and provide access to appropriate help, such as consulting an occupational physiotherapist
• ensure employees are able to organise their work and take regular breaks

Ends

For further media information please call Ann Stirling on 01273 202980 (24 hours mobile: 07939 153 513) or Jennie Edmondson at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) on 020 7306 6616 (24 hours mobile: 07786 332 197)

Notes to editors:

1. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK's 47,000 chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students and assistants. Please visit our web site at www.csp.org.uk

2. The charity RSI Action is holding a free information day on Saturday 24 February 2007 from 10am to 4pm at University College London, Gower Street, WC1E 6BT. For further information please email: info@RSIAction.org.uk or write to RSI Action, PO Box 173, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 0WT.

3. RSI is a general term that covers a range of conditions known as work-related upper limb disorder and can result in pain in the limbs, fingers, wrists, forearms, neck and shoulders. Any activity that involves prolonged maintenance of awkward or static postures, high rates of repetition or exertion of force can mean there is a risk of developing RSI. Even stress, which causes muscles to tense, can be a contributing factor. Problems getting an accurate diagnosis and proper treatment make the condition worse often resulting in job loss and financial problems.

4. Health and Safety Executive (HSE) figures for the number of people affected by work-related upper limb disorders and the number of new cases are taken from the latest survey of self-reported work-related illness (SWI05/06), based on the Labour Force Survey.

In 1995/96 HSE estimated the cost of upper limb disorders at between £208 million and £221 million per year. Allowing for inflation, these figures would now be between £270 million and £287 million.

Breakdowns by occupation and region are not yet available from SWI05/06. HSE is currently using the previous survey SWI04/05, from which the tables below are derived. All figures are on the HSE website http://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/causdis/uln.htm

Table A

Estimated prevalence and rates (%) of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders mainly affecting the upper limbs or neck caused or made worse by current or most recent job, by occupational major group, for people working in the last 12 months (SWI 2004/05)

Occupation description	Rate per 100 employed in the last 12 months	Prevalence
Process, plant and machine operatives	1.1	24,000
Skilled trades occupations	0.91	30,000
Associate professional and technical occupations	0.76	30,000
Personal service occupations	0.76	17,000
Sales and customer service occupations	0.50	12,000
Administrative and secretarial occupations	0.48	18,000
Elementary occupations	0.45	16,000
Managers and senior officials	0.36	15,000
Professional occupations	0.32	11,000
All occupations	0.60	173,000

The annual prevalence is the estimated number of people with a work-related illness at any time during the 12-month period. It includes the full range of illnesses from long standing to new cases. The rate is the prevalence estimate divided by the population at risk of having a work-related illness.

HSE says that for the major occupational groups where the sample numbers were large enough to provide reliable estimates, process, plant and machine operatives and skilled trades occupations carried rates which were statistically significantly higher than the overall rate (0.60).

Occupational sub-major groups with statistically significantly higher rates were: health and social welfare associate professionals; process, plant and machine operatives; and skilled construction and building trades. Occupational groups with statistically significantly lower rates were professional occupations and managers and senior officials.

Table B

Estimated prevalence and rates (%) of self-reported musculoskeletal disorders mainly affecting the upper limbs or neck, caused or made worse by work, by country and government office region within England, for people ever employed, (SWI 2004/05)

Government office region	Rate per 100 ever employed	Prevalence
North East	1.3	25,000
Wales	1.2	28,000
Yorkshire and Humber	1.1	39,000
East Midlands	1.0	33,000
West Midlands	0.99	39,000
North West	0.96	48,000
South East	0.77	48,000
South West	0.76	29,000
East	0.75	31,000
Scotland	0.74	28,000
London	0.59	29,000
England	0.87	321,000
Great Britain	0.87	375,000