Wednesday February 28, 2007 is International Repetitive Strain Injuries Awareness Day. Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) are the most common type of workplace injury in Canada, and the incident rate is climbing every year. Across Canada 2.3 million people, or one in every 10 adults, suffer from these injuries also known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). They include a number of disorders that affect muscles, tendons, nerves and joints.
RSI Day is an opportunity to promote injury prevention and raise awareness about the prevalence of RSIs and their effects. Workers forced to do monotonous, repetitive jobs, who work too long or too fast without enough breaks, are affected by RSIs. Poor work organization (unnecessary overtime, cutbacks and layoffs, substandard equipment, lack of worker control) contributes to RSIs.
The first RSI Awareness Day was February 29, 2000. That day was selected because it was the only non-repetitive day of the year. The day is recognized on the 28th in non-leap years.
For more information on RSIs go to Repetitive strain injuries - Fact sheet or contract the National H&S Branch.