types of work-related injuries repetitive strain injury (RSI) -- could be reduced with a few simple safety precautions.

That was one of the messages at the RIMS conference this week from Mr. John Sweitzer, a risk manager who currently specialises in risks associated with the hotel industry.

RSI can affect anyone from chambermaids and waitresses to typists and journalists. More and more claims are being filed in the US which collectively are likely to cost insurers several millions of dollars.

The illness can cause aches to several parts of the body, including an area of muscle and nerves at the back of the wrist called the `carpel tunnel' which, in some cases, can lead to chronic arm problems.

Mr. Sweitzer said he considered RSI to be a "trendy'' illness which could well be unheard of in several years' time.

But Mr. Sweitzer recommended that hotels and other industries adopt a series of simple practices to help reduce the possibility of RSI claims from employees.

Computers, typewriters and chairs, for example, should be adjusted so that employees are working at the correct angle to reduce strain on their body, he said.

Another basic technique is to introduce finger stretching techniques for workers. "It might sound basic, but it all helps,'' said Mr. Sweitzer.

Chambermaids must be taught the correct way to perform tasks seemingly as simple as changing bed sheets which, if done incorrectly, can and does cause back injury and other problems, he said.

Mr. Sweitzer is the director of risk management for Vancouver-based Red Lion Hotels & Inns, which operates 54 hotels in ten western states and has 11,000 employees.

It is his chain's policy to provide special adjustable belts to certain hotel workers whose jobs require lifting in a bid to reduce back injury. "There are all sorts of measures which hoteliers can take to lessen the chance of injury to staff and consequently, reduce the risk of owners' compensation claims,'' said Mr. Sweitzer.

"In the US there are incentive programmes where various incentives, not necessarily involving money, are offered to encourage staff to improve safety.

"In some of our hotels, the managers will wash the cars of employees if the hotel goes so many days without an accident. One hotel general manager, who was a big guy, about 6 feet four inches tall told staff he would do anything they wanted him to do for eight hours if they want a certain number of days without an accident.

"They fulfilled their part of the deal and they asked this huge guy to dress up as a lobby maid for the whole eight hours, which he duly did. It helps to add fun to the workplace, breaks down barriers between staff and management and also reduce accidents.'' In the US, hoteliers must show they have exercised "a level of reasonable care'' in workers' compensation court cases, he said.

Due to the effects of the recession, risk managers are facing an increasingly more difficult fight to persuade hotels to take extra, and sometimes costly, safety measures, he added.