Most clerical workers report job discomfort

Press, 11 September 1985, Page 9

Most clerical workers report job discomfort

More than half the female clerical workers and keyboard users interviewed in Christchurch by the Health Department reported some discomfort or disability at work. The department said yesterday that further analysis suggested that up to 9 per cent of keyboard users and 2 per cent of clerical workers had significant injuries caused by repetitive work. , , , , Early reports showed 13 nr*

per cent of keyboard users and 13 per cent of clerical workers in the survey had significant postural health problems. The study is based on more than 1100 questionnaires sent to clerical workers and keyboard users in 48 Christchurch organisations. The department’s director of public health, Dr John Stoke, said the survey endeavoured to separate and quantify the repetitionand V

postural strain effects of clerical and keyboard office work, previously covered by the term “repetitive strain injury.” Painful conditions from postural static strain, mostly a in the neck and shoulders were classified as “postural strain injury.” Pain from continuous repetitive movements by the upper limb, particularly the hand and fingers, were defined as repetitive strain injury, Dr Stoke said.