February 29 has been designated International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) is reminding workers that repetitive strain injuries are serious workplace hazards and encouraging them to take action to prevent these injuries.

Some common repetitive strain injuries (also known as musculoskeletal disorders) are tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, bursitis and damage to the rotator cuff and often affect the wrists and hands, forearms and elbows, and neck and shoulders.

These injuries develop slowly and can happen in any workplace where people are bending, straightening, gripping, holding, twisting, clenching or reaching for prolonged periods. Over time, these repeated actions, combined with other risk factors such as awkward postures and forceful movements, can eventually affect the muscles, tendons and nerves and cause injuries.

To help workplaces promote International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day, CCOHS has made a collection of free resources available on their website: www.ccohs.ca/events/rsi.

Quick Facts

• International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day is February 29 (February 28 in non-leap years). As the only "non-repetitive" day of the year, it’s the ideal date to devote to raising awareness of repetitive strain injuries.

Associated Links

• Safe Lifting at Work Infographic
• Musculoskeletal Disorders Infographic
• Sitting at Work Infographic
• Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders Fact Sheet

Source: Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS)