"IT makes me ill"

RSI, eyestrain, aches and pains are all on the increase - and look set to rise over the next 10 years, according to survey results released on Monday by leading insurance company Norwich Union.

Britain already loses £11bn a year through sick leave, and now 43% of personnel directors believe that figure will increase with more 'techno-trauma' illnesses affecting their employees.

A spokeswoman for Norwich Union said: "More and more people are sitting at terminals, causing RSI and eyestrain from looking at VDUs. Our research shows that companies need to start thinking about re-evaluating the way in which they look after the health of their employees - in order to ensure their workplace is a safe and healthy environment."

The Health & Safety Executive has published guidelines concerning technology and the related causes of illness. The subject is covered in The Health and Safety (Display Screen Equipment) Regulations 1992, which came into effect in January 1993. These regulations apply to staff who habitually use VDUs as a significant part of their everyday work.

It has been denied that VDUs can cause any permanent damage, although it is admitted that frequent usage in certain conditions can cause continual headaches. These may result from causes including:

• Screen glare
• Poor image quality
• Stress from the pace of work
• Reading the screen for long periods without a break
• Poor posture

Companies are bound by the regulations to check their health and safety compliance concerning workstations. According to HSE guidelines they need to look at:

• Workstations including equipment, furniture (adjustable chairs) and the work environment
• The job being done
• Any special needs of the staff

The regulations also mean that the employer has to pay for an eye test if one is requested and needs to provide training to make sure that employees can use their VDU and workstation safely.

Many companies in not complying with the H & S regulations risk staff being taken ill with technology-related illnesses. There have been recent cases of employees having successfully sued their employers for negligence.

Julie Crisp