The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is asking organizations to be mindful of one of the leading causes of workplace injuries as International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day approaches.

Set for February 29, the only “non-repetitive” day of the year, the occasion raises awareness of RSI, an umbrella term for a range of injuries to the musculoskeletal or nervous systems.

Work that requires the continual repetition of movements, such as lifting, typing, or twisting, can potentially lead to an RSI, such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis, bursitis, and other disorders.

These injuries develop slowly over time and can be painful and debilitating, affecting the tendons, muscles, nerves, and joints in the back, shoulder, neck, hands, arms, and other parts of the body. As well as a worker’s ability to perform duties, they can impact mental wellness and quality of life.

There were 10,211 accepted lost-time injuries due to musculoskeletal system and connective tissue diseases and disorders in Canada in 2022 (up 2.5 per cent from 2021), according to the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada National Work Injury, Disease and Fatality Statistics report.

CCOHS says many repetitive strain injuries can be prevented by implementing the following measures:

• Eliminating repetitive work: structure jobs so workers can rotate through different tasks using different muscle groups. Mechanize certain tasks, where possible;
• Encourage workers to take short, frequent rest breaks;
• Improving workstation design: create workstations that fit the worker, and allow for standing, sitting, or sitting-standing positions. Provide appropriate tools and equipment to reduce the force needed to complete tasks and to avoid muscle strain or awkward postures or positions; and
• Providing education and training: train workers on the causes, how to best prevent these injuries, and how to recognize early signs and symptoms.

More free resources are available here.

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