Employers have a legal duty to carry out what is called a risk assessment of any hazardous task or equipment.
Hazardous in this context does not just cover obviously dangerous tasks such as handling chemicals, but anything at work that may cause injury.
It should therefore include office workstations and other clerical activities that could cause RSI. In the jargon rich world of occupational health you may hear this talked about as DSE or display screen equipment.
If you have union safety reps, then the employer should discuss the risk assessment with them.
Employers must follow the advice set out in the Display Screen Equipment (DSE) Regulations. The full text of the DSE regulations is available online on the HMSO website.
There is also information on Legal and other standards for prevention and control of work-related upper limb disorders in Chapter 46 of the TUC Hazards at Work guide.
