February 28th / Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness day

Every year on the last day of February, the occupational health and safety community raises awareness about Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs), also known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). These injuries affect tendons, muscles, nerves, and joints, often causing recurring pain in areas such as the neck, shoulders, forearms, wrists, hands, elbows, and lower limbs. RSIs can result from forceful exertion, rapid or repetitive movement, overuse, static loading, awkward postures, or maintaining constrained positions for prolonged periods.

Awareness is essential because RSIs represent a significant portion of workplace injuries in Ontario—accounting for about half of all lost-time days and 40% of lost-time claims approved by the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board. Despite their prevalence, many RSIs go unrecognized or unreported. Workers may overlook early symptoms, failing to link everyday aches and pains to their work activities. Left unaddressed, these warning signs can lead to serious, sometimes irreversible injuries that can severely impact mobility and quality of life.

Preventing RSIs requires a comprehensive approach focused on designing work to fit the individual rather than forcing the individual to adapt to poorly designed tasks. Under Ontario’s Occupational Health and Safety Act, employers must identify, assess, and control hazards that contribute to RSIs and ensure workers receive appropriate training. This training may include safe techniques for repetitive or physically demanding tasks, correct tool and equipment use, proper manual lifting practices, maintaining ergonomic workstations, taking rest breaks, and recognizing early symptoms of injury.