Small firms must tackle repetitive strain injury (RSI) with the condition costing UK firms more than £300 million a year, a new study states.
Research conducted by Microsoft reveals that two-thirds of workers are now affected by RSI with the figure rising by 30 per cent in the last year alone.
The study claims that this rapid increase can be put down to the growing popularity of mobile working and the subsequent use of laptops and smartphones.
A survey of 1,000 office workers found that 68 per cent of them suffer from aches and pains in the shoulders, back and wrists.
John Allen, managing consultant at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "This issue needs to be addressed and companies should start assessing the risks and investing in ergonomic solutions where they are needed."
The rise can be put down to companies failing to take action to protect their staff, he added.
Last week, a study by the Health and Safety Executive found that 36 million days were lost to work-related injury and sickness in 2006-07.
