On the eleventh day of industrial ergonomics, my DORN safety team gave to me…repetitive strain injury prevention tips and a $30 Amazon gift card!
Welcome back to DORN’s 12 Days of Industrial Ergonomics! We’re almost at the end, but fret not—there are still prizes to be won and valuable safety tips to take away as you head into the new year. Remember to share this blog post on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok and tag the DORN account for your chance to win! Share on multiple platforms and tag your colleagues in the safety world for additional entries.
Today’s topic is repetitive strain injuries or RSIs. This subcategory of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) represents a significant portion of all workplace injuries, with 9% of Americans over age 18 reporting a repetitive strain injury in the last three months of responding (2021 data). Worse, these injuries can be costly—OSHA estimates each case costs employers about $30,000 in direct costs, plus the time lost to missed work days and lost productivity.
How can employers and workers work together to prevent RSIs?
First, it’s crucial to understand the causes of repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). Repetitive motion can occur in virtually any work, from manufacturing and construction to computer-based jobs. Common activities, such as using hammers, screwdrivers, welding torches, keyboards, and other tools, can lead to repetitive motion. Over time, these repetitive actions strain soft tissues, eventually resulting in RSIs. While the wrists and shoulders are the most frequently affected areas, the lower back, neck, and hips can also be vulnerable to strain.
The easiest preventative measure for most employees to take against RSIs is taking regular short breaks to stretch muscles and allow the soft tissues some time to recover. Stretching helps improve blood flow, which in turn helps muscles and tissues recover from repetitive motion. Workers should be encouraged to stretch and extend the affected body part in the opposite direction from the repetitive motion.
Employers can also take proactive measures to help prevent RSIs among workers. Often, this means examining everyday tasks and the motions workers use to accomplish them through an ergonomic lens, which can be done through an ergonomic assessment by a certified provider. Interventions to adjust work techniques and educate workers on proper biomechanics will go a long way in mitigating RSI risk and the associated costs.
Here’s DORN’s Cheryl Roy explaining how workers and employers can prevent RSIs in a Safety Minute video.
Thank you for joining us for the 12 Days of Industrial Safety! Remember to share this post on social media to be entered to win today’s prize: a $30 Amazon gift card! The Day 10 winner of the 12 Days of Ergonomics is Thomas Johnston!
