International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day

Prevent Repetitive Strain Injuries A message worth repeating

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

February 28 in non-leap years

hashtagPreventRSI

About repetitive strain injuries

Repetitive strain injuries are a type of musculoskeletal disorder. These painful disorders affect tendons, muscles, nerves, and joints in the hands, elbows, shoulders, lower back, and other parts of the body.

Who’s at risk?

These injuries can happen to workers in all types of industries. Gripping, holding, bending, twisting, clenching, typing, lifting, pushing, pulling, and reaching are ordinary movements we make every day, and are not particularly harmful. What makes them hazardous in work situations is the continual repetition of the movements. Other contributing work factors may include awkward postures, fixed body positions, excessive force concentrated on small parts of the body, such as the hand or wrist, a fast work pace with insufficient breaks or recovery time, and psychosocial factors, such as stress.

What are the signs?

Preventing workplace injuries

Repetitive motion is a significant reason for lost-time injury claims in Canada. Preventing them from occurring not only protects your workers but also makes good business sense.

  • Address hazards at the source
    Prevention should focus on eliminating repetitive work through job design which may involve mechanizing certain tasks. Jobs should also be structured so that workers can rotate between different tasks, using different muscle groups.
  • Create a well-designed workstation
    When it’s not practical to eliminate repetitive aspects of a job, a well-designed workstation that fits the worker and allows standing, sitting, or sitting-standing positions, can help. Workers should be given appropriate, carefully maintained tools and equipment to reduce the force needed to complete tasks, prevent muscle strain, and avoid awkward positions. It’s important for employers to work with employees to make sure their workstations are designed and set up properly, including those working remotely.
  • Educate and train
    Because repetitive strain injuries develop slowly, workers should be trained to understand their causes, how to prevent them, and how to recognize early signs and symptoms. Workers should know how to adjust workstations to fit their tasks and individual needs. Employers should also encourage workers to take short, frequent rest breaks.
February
28

Free resources to help address repetitive strain injuries

Podcasts

Raise awareness on social media

Share the following postcards on your favourite social media channel to help spread the word about repetitive strain injuries:

Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day postcard for healthcare professionals

Two people working in a warehouse, one of whom is lifting a box.

Your health matters. Know how to work safely.

Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day – Feb 28

Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day postcard for factory workers and contractors

Workers in protective clothing examining food along an assembly line.

Because work shouldn’t be a pain.

Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day – Feb 28

Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day postcard for office workers

A medical professional in scrubs, in a hospital, using a stethoscope on a patient in bed.

Something not feeling right? Don’t just let it pass.

Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day – Feb 28

Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day postcard for workers

Worker in a safety vest sitting down and taking a break.

Pace your work with regular, short breaks.

Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day – Feb 28

Raise awareness of RSI Day on your website

Provide workers with information about repetitive strain injuries. Download these website badges and link to this page.

Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day: A dark blue rectangular badge

A dark and light blue rectangular badge for a website that says Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day, February 28, and Learn More.

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Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day: A bright blue rectangular badge

A bright blue rectangular badge for a website that says Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day, February 28, and Learn More.

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Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day: A blue rectangular badge

A blue rectangular badge for a website that says Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness Day, February 28, and Learn More.

Download this badge