Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) Awareness

This year, February 29 marked Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness (RSI) Day. RSI is a term used to cover a variety of painful and all-too-common injuries and disorders that affect the nerves, tendons, muscles, and joints.

These types of injuries happen across every industry to workers in all kinds of jobs. RSIs are the most common type of workplace injury and are the most frequent type of lost-time injury.

What makes RSIs so common?

The reptitive movements that cause RSIs are usually quite ordinary. But complicating factors can create problems quickly. RSIs are more likely to occur when repetition is combined with fixed or awkward body positions, task speed, the force required by/on certain parts of the body, stress, and more.

What does an RSI feel like?

With RSIs, pain is usually the most common symptom. But these injuries can begin slowly. Workers should always make note of the onset of any of these symptoms:

• Pain

• Joint stiffness

• Muscle tightness

• Swelling

• Numbness

• Tingling

• Redness or skin colour changes

• Pins and needles sensations

Speak Up!

If you don't speak to your workplace health and safety team about your symptoms or concerns, they might not know there is a problem.

Your Joint Health & Safety Committee (JHSC) and/ or workers Health & Safety Rep(s), Union Steward(s), and Union Representatives are all available to discuss workplace health and safety concerns and to help eliminate hazards at the source wherever possible.

In many cases, workstations, task variety, job design, breaks, movement, work distribution, and other practices can be assessed and changed to help prevent injuries at the source.

As with ANY work-related injury, it's important to:

• Notify your workplace health and safety team and supervisor IMMEDIATELY,

• Seek medical attention if needed to treat symptoms and/or the injury, and;

• File a WSIB claim as needed.