If using the mouse is causing or aggravating your RSI symptoms, one easy solution is using the mouse less !

If you use keyboard shortcuts you can save hundreds or thousands of mouse clicks or movements every day. If its the mouse thats causing you problems then its time to swat up on the Keyboard Shortcuts that can massively improve your RSI.

Most windows applications have their own set of keyboard shortcuts but here are some of the most common that work either in windows itself or are common across most applications.

Office workers using VDU/computer equipment are the classic example of a 'high risk' occupation but RSI is by no means limited to this group of people. Any job or leisure pursuit involving repetitive motions can cause RSI.

The following list gives a few examples of industries and potentially 'at risk' occupations.

    * Manufacturing - Packaging, Assembly, Welders
    * Food processing - Cake Decoraters, Fishmongers, Meat Cutters
    * Clothing - Seamstress, Cloth Cutters
    * Construction - Sanders, Bricklayers, Carpenters
    * Transport - Drivers, Handlers
    * Retailing - Shelf Stackers, Checkout Staff
    * Offices - Computer/VDU Operators, Typists, Filing
    * Health services - Lab Workers, Chiropodists
    * Services - Postal Workers, Cleaners, Hairdressers
    * Entertainment - Dancers, Musicians

Other Risk Factors

Within the above professions most people will have no RSI issues but there are a number of other risk factors that may predispose an individual to developing RSI at work.

Your Employer

Your employer has a duty to keep you safe at work and assess any risks you may be subject to. Check out your Employers Responsibilities and get them involved as soon as possible if you suspect you are developing an RSI type injury

Your employer has a number of responsibilities regarding RSI at work as it is their fundamental responsibility to keep you safe and assess any risks that you may be subject to.

RSI Risk Assessment

It is your employer's responsibility to keep you safe at work!. This includes assessing any risks you may face and taking the appropriate remedial action. This includes obvious cases (e.g. checking that industrial machines have the correct safeguards fitted) but also the more seemingly innocuous risks such as keyboard and mouse use while using a computer.

Employers must (or should!):

• Identify the risk
• Assess the risk
• Take steps to prevent or control the risk
• Modify the work tasks to the individual concerned
• Check the steps taken are working
• Review the assessment

Eye Test

OK so the link between your eyesight and RSI may not be clear (if you'll excuse the pun!) but if you are struggling to see the computer screen clearly then you may be hunching up closer to the monitor than is comfortable. This may be one small piece of the the jigsaw but you never know what may be the root cause of your RSI.

If you are a regular computer user your employer should pay for a free eye test every 2 years

Compensation For RSI Injury at Work

Of course, it is possible that your employer has taken all possible steps and your RSI continues to deteriorate but if your employer hasn't listened or taken the required steps you may have a case for claiming compensation.