Workplace Report December 2005

Features: Health & safety - HSE monitor

RSI database launched

A new legal database should help safety reps to tackle cases of repetitive strain injury (RSI).

Funded by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), the Work-related upper limb disorder database provides details of court judgments in cases of RSI. It lists the factors that influenced the courts' decisions, the degree of care exercised by employers and the amount of damages awarded to claimants.

In 2004/05, nearly 375,000 people suffered musculoskeletal disorders, mainly in the upper limbs or neck, that were caused or made worse by work.

The database is at www.humanetechnology.co.uk/registered/intro.php. Registration (which is free) is required.