Spread Awareness of Repetitive Strain Injuries

February 28, 2022 – Hamilton, ON – Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)

Today on International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness (RSI) Day, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) reminds workplaces to raise awareness and promote the prevention of repetitive strain injuries.

Also known as musculoskeletal disorders, repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a term used to describe a family of painful disorders affecting tendons, muscles, nerves and joints in the neck, upper and lower back, chest, shoulders, arms, and hands.

RSIs can happen to a variety of workers from all types of industries. Gripping, holding, bending, twisting, clenching, and reaching - these ordinary movements that we naturally make every day are not particularly harmful in the activities of our daily lives. What makes them hazardous in work situations is the continual repetition of the movements. Other contributing work factors can include awkward postures and fixed body positions, excessive force concentrated on small parts of the body such as the hand or wrist, a fast pace of work with insufficient breaks or recovery time, and psychosocial factors such as stress.

To help workplaces promote RSI Day, CCOHS has infographics, social media cards, posters, and podcasts available for free at www.ccohs.ca/events/rsi.