OTHER NEWS - June 6, 1996

RSI Estimated to Cost Business $10.8 Billion: A first-of-its-kind survey by the newsletter CTDNews found that U.S. companies spent $10.8 billion last year on employees’ repetitive stress injuries, the fastest-spreading category of workplace ailments. On average, the newsletter found, the cost was $12,000 per injured employee. RSI includes such ailments as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and back sprains that result from repetitive motions. The findings were based on information gathered from about 1,000 companies that subscribe to CTDNews. Expenses covered by the survey included workers’ compensation costs, along with production losses, and retraining and overtime stemming from the injuries.