Typists at risk of MSD’s – according to occupational health reports (Nov 05)

Every year over 2 million people suffer from ill health which they believe is work-related.

In 2003/04 an estimated 2.2 million people suffered from an illness, which they believed was caused or made worse by their current or past work with 600,000 of these cases occurring in the past 12 months.

Over 50% of all cases of work-related illness are musculoskeletal disorders or stress related

Using statistics from several sources including: specialist doctors in The Health and Occupation Reporting network (THOR) scheme and claims for disablement benefit under the Industrial Injuries Scheme (IIS). The latest Occupational Health Statistics Bulletin setting out work-related ill health in Great Britain sites the most common types of work-related illness were musculoskeletal disorders – in particular those affecting the back and upper limbs – and stress and other types of mental illness.

High risks occupations for MSD’s include typists and road workers

Jobs with highest risks of musculoskeletal disorders, according to rheumatologists reports (2002-04), were typists, metal plate workers, shipwrights and riveters, and road construction operatives (with incidence rates 15 times above the average for all occupations).

Over the period 2002-2004 the most commonly reported task associated with a work-related musculoskeletal condition was:

Guiding or holding tools (21%)
Heavy lifting/carrying/pushing/pulling (19%)
Keyboard work (14%)

Some tips for working with keyboards

Set your chair height so your wrists and hand are in a neutral position (not bent)
Keep elbow height slightly above wrist height
Wrists and hands should float when typing
Use keyboard tilt to minimise reach for keys on the top row
Press the keys gently and take breaks during prolonged typing
Ensure keyboard keys are well damped
Spread workload between fingers – learn to touch type