Workload `led to RSI'

Bank staff developed problems with their upper limbs when their workload was increased "substantially", a court was told yesterday.

Five former workers at the Midland Bank's processing centre in Frimley, Surrey, are claiming compensation after suffering repetitive strain injuries. The test case, which opened at Southwark Crown Court in London yesterday, is expected to last a month.

John Foy, acting for the five women, told the court that the part-timers worked intensively on keyboards, keying information from cheques into computers. Mr Foy said the staff had to work on inadequately designed equipment and with poor working posture. There was a lack of training on posture and good working practices and the management was "oblivious" to this, he said.