Firms were today given new official guidance on how to tackle Repetitive Strain Injury after research showed most workers were unaware of the dangers they faced in the office.
The Health and Safety Executive called on companies to redesign workstations and equipment amid warnings that the lives of employees were being "devastated".
An estimated 4.2 million working days are being lost in Britain each year due to RSI-conditions which include upper limb or neck disorders.
Workers at risk from RSI range from hairdressers to journalists to meat processors.
A survey by recruitment agency Pertemps showed that nine out of ten workers received no information or training about RSI.
Chairman Tim Watts said: "Employees who work in badly designed offices, or fail to take sufficient breaks from repetitive tasks, are at risk of developing RSI, which is a painful and disabling condition."
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