February 27, 2023 at 9:30 AM
February 28, 2023, is International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day, which is dedicated to RSI education and prevention. A repetitive strain injury is a category of injuries involving damage to muscles, tendons, or nerves caused by repetitive motions and constant use or misuse.
Every year millions of Canadians suffer from crippling repetitive strain injuries (RSIs), also referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), seriously limiting their daily activities. For some, the injuries and associated pain can impede their ability to work, and care for themselves and their loved ones.
Many of these injuries are caused by work-related activity. Musculoskeletal disorders are the largest classification of lost-time injury reported to workers compensations making up approximately one-third of all claims.
Beyond the MSDs reported to worker's compensation, a significant body of research evidence and the experiences of workers suggest many more MSDs are never reported to or recognized by workers' compensation.
In addition to the social, emotional, and economic costs suffered by affected individuals and their loved ones, MSDs create a significant economic cost to all Canadians. Research evidence suggests these costs are likely between $40 and 67 billion dollars annually (and this is US dollars). Much of this is paid, not by employers who operate unsafe workplaces, but by Canadian taxpayers through the health care and income support systems. These statistics, the economic costs, and the painful experiences of these injuries to workers demand solutions.
Work-related hazards
WHAT CAUSES RSIs OR MSDs?
A host of all-too-common work hazards can play a role in the development of musculoskeletal pain and disorders. They include:
- repetition
- awkward or fixed postures
- the excessive pace of work
- psychosocial stress
- vibration
- insufficient recovery time
- forceful movements
- contact stress
- cold temperatures
The majority of RSIs or MSDs are preventable.
Actions that can be taken include:
- Early reporting of symptoms and hazards to your supervisor/employer and workplace health and safety committee (WHSC) or health and safety representative.
- Reporting work-related RSI or MSDs to worker's compensation immediately or promptly.
- Insisting on quality training to address these issues.
- Worker involvement in identifying hazards and implementing prevention solutions.
- Suggesting measures to improve working conditions to supervisor/employer.
- Pressing employers to implement ergonomic prevention solutions.
- Lobbying government to enforce existing regulations to protect workers, including standardized training.
Employer obligations
For workplaces under federal jurisdiction and governed by the Canada Labour Code, employers must develop, implement, and monitor a program for the prevention of hazards, including those responsible for the development of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), which is known as the Hazard Prevention Program (HPP).
As union activists and health and safety advocates, our members are on the front lines of pushing for better, safer work environments. Unifor is committed to promoting injury prevention and raising awareness about the prevalence of Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSIs) and their effects as prevention is key.
Help us put an end to workplace injury:
On February 28, 2023, join your union, Unifor Local 2002, in raising awareness about International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) day.
In solidarity,
Sylvie Schmitt
National Health and Safety Coordinators - Air Canada Mainline
Manon Boucher
National Health and Safety Coordinator - Jazz Aviation Customer and Aircraft Services
Jeff Decker
National Health and Safety Coordinator - Jazz Technical Services
Anees Munshi
National Health and Safety Coordinator - Jazz Aviation Line Technical Services
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day is February 29, or February 28 in non-leap years like this one. As the only “non-repetitive” day of the year, it’s the ideal date to raise awareness of repetitive strain injuries and how to prevent them.
This year, the Unifor Health, Safety and Environment Department is inviting you to join a free webinar on RSIs to give you an opportunity to share your experiences from across the country as well as hear from knowledgeable health and safety and ergonomics experts.
Please join Health, Safety and Environment Director Vinay Sharma, department staff, and ergonomics coordinators on Tuesday, February 28 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Register here for the RSI Day webinar
As union representatives, we are often aware of the more acute risks to our health and safety in the workplace. It is a challenge to remember that simple, repetitive movements can lead to injuries that can be difficult to recover from. We must take precautions and set up our everyday movements to prevent RSIs.
There are resources you can use in your workplaces to help you and your fellow workers keep RSIs in mind as you go about your workday. We encourage you to read through the detailed Fact Sheet on RSIs and make Repetitive Strain Injuries a topic at Local meetings and at the bargaining table.
There are additional resources, including checklists and online courses, at the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) and the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers (OHCOW).
Connect with your health and safety activists and make a plan to join us on February 28. Together, we can make work safe for all.