Did you know that February 29 (or February 28 during non-leap years!) is recognized as International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day? As the only “non-repetitive” day of the year, it acts as an ideal date to devote to raising awareness of repetitive strain injuries.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2001, over two million Canadians experienced a repetitive strain injury that was serious enough to limit their normal activities, with 55% of these injuries being attributed to work-related activities.
As defined in Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety, Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI), which are also known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), are painful disorders that affect tendons, muscles, nerves and joints in the neck, upper and lower back, chest, shoulders, arms and hands.
RSIs can occur suddenly or develop gradually over weeks, months or even years. Symptoms can include tightness, discomfort, stiffness, soreness, burning, tingling, or numbness within your hands, wrists and arms.
Causes of Repetitive Strain Injury
Common causes of RSI in an office environment include:
- Repetitive movements (i.e. typing/mousing)
- Awkward postures and static body positions (i.e. sitting at a desk for a long period of time)
- Excessive force concentrated on small parts of the body (i.e. wrists making contact with desk surface while typing/mousing)
- Insufficient rest breaks
Prevention
When it is not practical to eliminate the repetitive aspect of a job, a well-designed workstation that is adjusted to the fit of the employee, in addition to taking short and frequent breaks, can provide some relief. For employees who use their computers and/or laptops for the greater part of their workday, applying various ergonomics principles will not only improve your overall productivity and quality of work, but will also reduce the risk of developing RSIs.
As part of Sheridan’s commitment to providing a healthy and safe environment for all employees, the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Services department currently offers individualized ergonomics assessments upon request. These assessments consist of a discussion regarding workstation setup, pain or discomfort you may be experiencing, as well as providing you with education related to correctly adjusting your chair, proper workstation setup, and sitting postures.
To request an assessment, please have your supervisor contact OHS Services.
For more information regarding Office Ergonomics, please download a copy of Office Ergonomics Information Pamphlet.
Feel free to contact OHS Services at ohsservices@sheridancollege.ca or at ext. 2515 if you have any questions.