International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day 2023

February 28 is International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day, which is dedicated to RSI education and prevention. Every year millions of Canadian adults suffer from RSIs and musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) that seriously limit their daily activities. Most of these injuries are caused by work-related activities. For health-care workers, musculoskeletal pain and disorders are "by far and away the primary type of injury suffered" with almost half caused by patient handling.

RSIs and MSDs account for more than 40 per cent of all lost-time injuries allowed by Ontario’s Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB.) This is the single largest class of compensation claims in the province. Many more go unreported, and many that are reported are turned down.

The majority of RSIs or MSDs are preventable. Actions that can be taken include:

• Reporting symptoms and hazards early to your supervisor and joint health and safety committee (JHSC) or health and safety representative
• Insisting on quality training to address these issues
• Pressing employers to implement ergonomic prevention solutions
• Encouraging governments to enact effective and enforced ergonomic regulations

RSI Day 2023 - Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW) is producing weekly webinars throughout the month of February to increase awareness and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders. Follow this link to register and learn more about the webinars. Videos from OHCOW's 2023 RSI Day sessions are also available on the OHCOW YouTube channel.

Learn More:

• Occupational Health & Safety: A Guide for ONA Members
• ONA Health and Safety - Musculoskeletal Disorders
• Workers Health and Safety Centre - RSI Awareness Day Fact Sheet
• MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario (from the Centre of Research Expertise for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders)
• Ontario Ministry of Labour - Ergonomics in the workplace
• Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers