The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has called on the Government to introduce typing and keyboard skills into schools to prevent repetitive strain injury (RSI).

According to the TUC, in 2004/05 nearly 375,000 people suffered from RSI which is often caused by poor typing skills.

This is something the organisation said could be avoided if children were taught to type properly in schools.

"Despite the reality that most people are more likely these days to use a computer to write a document than a pen, schoolchildren are not routinely being taught how to type," said TUC general secretary Brendan Barber.

"This means that millions of children are missing out on a life skill that could help protect the workforce of tomorrow from this painful and chronic illness," she said.

Currently keyboard skills are not a statutory part of the National Curriculum, although individual schools can decide to introduce them. However, in its statement the TUC said "the Government should introduce touch typing and keyboard skills into the National Curriculum as soon as possible".

It also urged employers to provide training for staff who are past their school days claiming it is a “very important workplace skill".

RSI covers a wide range of injuries to muscles, tendons and nerves. Usually hands, wrists, elbows or shoulders are affected.

The TUC has produced a set of guidelines with advice to workers such as ensuring there is enough space around them to work, and keeping their forearms horizontal when typing. It also advises those who do a lot of typing to ask an employer for touch-typing training as two-finger typists are far more likely to get pains in the hands, wrist and forearms.

It also reminds people that they are legally entitled to have computer equipment and workstations assessed to make sure they meet individual needs.