It is quite appalling that although the risk factors for RSI are so well established the number of cases continues to rise. While this handbook sets out a range of suggestions for tackling RSI now by organising and negotiating in the workplace, there are a number of other issues that are longer term campaigning targets. These include:
the political will to make strong enforcement of health and safety a priority issue
more government funded resources for the enforcing authorities such as HSE so that more preventive work can be done instead of just fire fighting
tougher penalties for employers who break health and safety law and cause injury and ill-health to their employees
stricter requirements for ergonomic principles to be incorporated into the design of work equipment, workplaces and jobs
improved employment rights so that people are not so afraid of losing their job that they do not report RSI symptoms until it is too late
properly funded research into the pathology of RSI and the most effective treatments for it
the ratification of the ILO convention on occupational health services
compulsory occupational health training for medical practitioners
the creation of a network of NHS multi-disciplinary specialist RSI clinics involving physiotherapists, rheumatologists, and psychologists who can adopt a holistic approach to the treatment of RSI
the establishment of more specialist pain management clinics which can deal with the special needs of RSI sufferers in chronic pain
more resources for NHS physiotherapy departments with more NHS physiotherapists being trained in specialist skills for RSI treatment
better training for medical students in occupational illness and injury
public funding for more Occupational Health Projects such as the ones in Sheffield, Leeds, and Camden and Islington, so that more information on RSI can be disseminated directly to GPs, practice nurses and patients
public funding for worker oriented health and safety advice centres
public funding for organisations such as the RSI Association to enable them to continue to provide advice and support to RSI sufferers
a comprehensive review of industrial injury compensation provisions, including the abolition of the 14% disability rule
Tackling RSI effectively in the longer term is not just a matter of workplace organisation, important though this is. Organisations concerned with RSI will need to develop campaigning strategies to achieve these targets and to work co-operatively in their campaigns. We hope that this book will stimulate such campaigns and provide useful ammunition for the campaigners.
Contents
