Work shouldn’t hurt! But all too often it does. Repetitive strain injuries (RSIs) remain the leading cause of work-related, lost-time injury for Ontario workers.
RSIs
, also commonly known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs)
,are injuries to muscles, nerves and tendons that may not be life-ending, but can certainly be life-altering. They can change everything. They can
rob workers of their mobility and their dignity. Workers are often left unable to care for themselves or those they love.
A
variety of workplace factors can play a role in the development of RSIs or MSDs including: repetition; insufficient recovery time; forceful movements; heavy loads; awkward or fixed postures; cold temperatures; contact stress; excessive pace of work; psychosocial stress; and vibration.
A movement for prevention
Twenty years ago, a handful of workers, knowing these hazards and their debilitating effects firsthand, helped ignite a movement to provide greater focus on related injuries,
prevention solutions, and the need for fair compensation for all affected. Their efforts led to the creation of International RSI Awareness Day, held annually the last day of February.
Today, MSDs still account for about 40 per cent of lost-time injuries allowed by Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board. Many more are never reported and many claims are denied. These
injuries affect employers too, driving up costs associated with injury compensation and lost productivity.
On this, the 20
th anniversary of
RSI Awareness Day, consider how your workplace can help break the cycle of preventable injury and pain.
The updated
MSD Prevention Guideline for Ontario provides resources in support of many of these efforts. Real prevention though begins with more than the unguided reading of information, whether it is provided online or in print.
Under the
Occupational Health & Safety Act and regulations,
employers in workplaces of all sizes have a general duty to identify, assess and control or eliminate exposure to all hazards, including those which contribute to RSIs or MSDs. Employers must also provide information, instruction and training—from workstation setup and patient handling techniques to methods for recognizing and reporting the early signs of MSDs.
WHSC can help
Workers Health & Safety Centre is dedicated to supporting these responsibilities. We offer several
ergonomics training programs focused on the knowledge and tools needed to help identify the working conditions and hazards that cause musculoskeletal pain and MSDs. What’s more, WHSC training offers essential insight and discussion into prevention solutions. As such, our
training is critical to employers and all those in their employ. Although employers have the greatest responsibility for worker health and safety, under
the Act, joint health and safety committee members, worker health and safety representatives, workers and supervisors also have important legal obligations to identify, assess and recommend solutions.
To learn more, check out the following WHSC Resources:
Don’t see what you need?
Call 1-888-869-7950 and ask to speak to a training service representative.
Or email us at
contactus@whsc.on.ca.