Over the last ten years, computers have come to play an integral part in all businesses - from companies of ten employees to huge multi-national conglomerates. As computer usage increases, so too has the number of MSD’s (musculoskeletal disorders) that effect PC users. Research in 2001/2 by the HSE estimated that 12.3 million working days had been lost due to work related MSDs, a figure that has increased proportionally with the growth of usage over the last five years.
It has become more important than ever for companies and insurers to implement DSE training on correct DSE usage, not only to ensure that money isn’t lost to sick days, but also to protect themselves from costly compensation claims arising from unchecked MSD’s.
High-profile cases over the last ten years have resulted in corporate pay-outs of between 35,000 pounds and 90,000. pounds For a claimant to succeed in their case, it is only necessary to show negligence on the balance of probability, rather than beyond reasonable doubt. Employers therefore have a responsibility to ensure that they can demonstrate DSE training and DSE risk assessment records for each employee.
In accordance with the Health
About the author of this article:
health and safety expert catherine harvey looks at the use of dse training in the workplace. to find out more please visit http://www.complywise.co.uk/
