International Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day Aims to Raise Awareness About Preventing the Causes of RSI
Repetitive strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendinitis and epicondylitis can disable members from working
Tuesday, February 28 is International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day. The day is an opportunity to raise awareness about RSIs, the need to prevent them, and the importance of fair compensation for injured workers.
Symptoms of RSI include persistent muscle and soft tissue pain, tingling or numbness, stiffness, and weakness. Examples of RSI are carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis and tendinopathies.
RSI risk factors include frequently repeated movements that use the same muscles, and require forceful exertion or awkward postures.
The following tasks, when done repetitively or in high volumes, have risk factors for RSI:
- Administering mass immunizations
- Pill crushing
- Dialysis equipment programming
- Set-ups, such as opening OR packages
- Chemotherapy drug administration via syringe pump
- Data entry
- Removing medications from blister packages
If you experience symptoms, here's what to do:
- Seek First Aid and follow up with your doctor as soon as you can.
- Report using the employee incident reporting process for your worksite.
- Start a WorkSafeBC claim for medical treatment and/or missed time from work by calling TeleClaim at 1-888-967-5377. You may also print the Form 6 (available online) to complete and fax.
- Contact your OH&S steward or BCNU Joint OH&S Committee (JOHSC) representative to make suggestions for changes in the work environment, tools, equipment and how the work is done, and to remove or reduce RSI risk factors (look on the BCNU board for your local steward or sign in to the BCNU Member Portal to find your steward).
Preventing the causes of RSI is key. Here are three steps you can take to make a difference at your workplace:
- Identify risk factors for RSI in your work.
- Report concerns to your supervisor or manager.
- To remove or reduce RSI risk factors, tell your BCNU steward or BCNU JOHSC representative and make suggestions for changes in the work environment, tools, equipment and how the work is done.