Famous lefties

Albert Einstein Pablo Picasso Charlie Chaplin Marilyn Monroe Jimi Hendrix

A 1991 study of death certificates showed that significantly more left-handers than right-handers died in accidents.

Kim Sunley, GMC health and safety researcher, said: "The GMB union is calling on designers to be aware of user needs and to come up with innovative designs which accommodate both left and right-handed users.

"Employers can play their part by supplying tools and equipment that will not injure left-handed workers, who are often the most creative workers."

It is estimated that left-handers make up between 13% and 30% of the UK population.

Wendy Lawrence, a member of the GMB and the RSI Association, says that being left-handed had caused difficulties throughout her working life.

"Right-handed design for right-handed users slows down the ability of left-handers to use equipment and tools, as their brains struggle to learn 'the other way round'.

"Everyday things like public telephones, electric hand power tools, keyboards and mouse are all geared for right-hand use."

Shorter life span

The disadvantages of being left-handed were graphically illustrated by the findings of a study by US psychology professor Stanley Coren.

He found that on average left-handers were likely to live for nine years less than right-handers.

Professor Coren suggested several factors to explain his findings:

• higher likelihood of birth or pregnancy complications
• slower growth patterns
• higher susceptibility to a number of diseases such as diabetes and epilepsy
• a tendency to certain potentially hazardous behaviour patterns such as alcoholism and increased criminality

However, he also said that another possible reason for the difference was the increased health risks experienced by left-handers living and working in environments designed for right-handers.

International Left-handers Day is Sunday August 13.