IPM hope that this website will be an invaluable resource and reference guide. On these pages you will find information on RSI, body mechanics, and some suggestions for help.
Over 5.4 million working days were lost last year to work-related conditions affecting almost 1/2 million people.
In 2001, the average yearly cost of absenteeism was £476 per person.
It is estimated that 1.2 million workers suffer musculo-skeletal disorders caused by their work, resulting in the lost of 10,000,000 working days per year.
Every day, at least 6 workers leave jobs forever because of RSI
Average cost of labour turnover per leaving therapist is nearly £2000, not taking into consideration the cost of lost clientele that follows each therapist
More than 50% (usually as high as 80-90%) of attendees on every one of our courses exhibits symptoms of a Work Related Upper Limb Disorder
October 2005 - Although this case has taken 5 years to get through court, it brings to the forefront the serious issues regarding RSI in our industry: Read on...
Elizabeth King, a former beauty therapist with Virgin Atlantic has been awarded almost £110,000 in compensation after she had to give up her job due to Repetitive Strain Injury. Miss King carried out “full back up” massages on VIP clients, sometimes as many as 12 in a shift! This treatment involved an incorrect posture and a “forceful” Shiatsu back and shoulder massage on seated, clothed clients. As a result of the injuries sustained doing her job, Miss King was forced to quit the “job she loved” and change career. Virgin Atlantic admitted that it was at fault for not assessing the dangers involved in making Miss King carry out the treatments.
“Sadly, this story sounds all to familiar to us” Jennifer Longmore, creator of IPM said, “More and more therapists are realising that their employers have a legal and moral duty of care to protect their employees from RSI – substantial awards such as this will drive the point home for companies even harder – therapists are being injured doing their jobs and it is simply unacceptable.”
IPM specialise in advanced training techniques for massage therapists that specifically prevent the dangers of Repetitive Strain Injury. Our techniques allow therapists the opportunity to meet their exacting work targets without the risk of damaging their fingers, wrists, arms, shoulders, and backs through RSI and help our clients to meet their moral and legal duties of care regarding RSI in the workplace.
IPM have been extremely active in the Health & Beauty Industry for many years now; we have worked at individual therapist, corporate and school levels, helping prevent injury and already injured therapists to continue their careers and employers to protect their staff and, perhaps most importantly – themselves.
“It is unfortunate that such a case has come this far” says Jennifer “It is sad that Miss King has had to change her career and it is a shame that a reputable company such as Virgin Atlantic has received this negative publicity – we would ask any companies or employees finding themselves in a similar situation to contact us at IPM to discuss technique training that can avoid further injury due to RSI.”
Read the full Daily Express article here - Elizabeth King Case (Acrobat Reader required)
