28th June 2004, 02:15 PM
I was going to start a thread on this very matter, but I am glad that this is a concern for others too.
I think RSI is a very real problem in archaeology. Other industries recognise this problem and there are guidlines about how long you can do certain tasks without taking breaks. I am not aware of any similar guidlines for archaeology, despite the fact that there are symptoms evident, particularly from trowelling all day long, but also things like holding large planning boards, kneeling for too long. Chronic back problems and 'bad knees' are a common complaint among people who have been digging for many years. This problem has been ignored for a very long time, partly perhaps due to the 'machismo' (for want of a better word) which surrounds archaeology, and just plain ignorance of employers.
I am looking for H&S guidlines which might help and am thinking of writing to the HSE. At the very least there should be guidlines for inclusion in company H&S documents and Risk Assessments. Should anyone know of guidelines for archaeological fieldwork or comparable profession, or have anecdotal evidence of chronic symptoms from RSIs then please let me know.
I do not dig anymore, but when I did I appreciated the work as it kept me fit and healthy, It did not occur to me then that a direct result of that work would be to experience the pain that I get now in my joints and in my back
I think RSI is a very real problem in archaeology. Other industries recognise this problem and there are guidlines about how long you can do certain tasks without taking breaks. I am not aware of any similar guidlines for archaeology, despite the fact that there are symptoms evident, particularly from trowelling all day long, but also things like holding large planning boards, kneeling for too long. Chronic back problems and 'bad knees' are a common complaint among people who have been digging for many years. This problem has been ignored for a very long time, partly perhaps due to the 'machismo' (for want of a better word) which surrounds archaeology, and just plain ignorance of employers.
I am looking for H&S guidlines which might help and am thinking of writing to the HSE. At the very least there should be guidlines for inclusion in company H&S documents and Risk Assessments. Should anyone know of guidelines for archaeological fieldwork or comparable profession, or have anecdotal evidence of chronic symptoms from RSIs then please let me know.
I do not dig anymore, but when I did I appreciated the work as it kept me fit and healthy, It did not occur to me then that a direct result of that work would be to experience the pain that I get now in my joints and in my back