Source: YuriArcursPeopleimages (Envato Elements)
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) can be challenging to prevent because they have a way of sneaking up on you.
That’s because the movements that cause an RSI really don’t seem that harmful. They’re ordinary motions that aren’t too uncomfortable, don’t hurt, and certainly don’t feel like they’re leading to a serious injury.
But do those movements for an extended period of time and suddenly your body can’t handle the strain anymore, leaving you with an injury that can be quite painful, limits your movements, and might be permanent.
Thankfully, they can also be avoided. It might require a combination of preventative measures, but it’s worth it to take the strain off every worker’s body.
Causes of RSI in the Workplace
Repetitive strain injuries are commonly referred to as repetitive motion injuries, because that’s essentially what causes them. Doing the same motion over and over for an extended period of time can cause inflammation and damage in the muscles, joints, and tendons.
It most commonly occurs in the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and neck. But it can really happen to any part of the body that undergoes too much repetitive stress.
Although RSI is a strain injury, you don’t actually have to be doing any heavy duty work to sustain one. Lighter tasks like typing, cutting hair, and sewing can also cause them.
The risks of developing an RSI go up when your job involves:
- Rapid, repetitive movements
- Lifting or carrying heavy loads
- Keeping the body in an awkward position
- Use of vibrating tools or equipment, like jackhammers and heavy machinery
Control Measures to Prevent RSIs
Repetitive strain injuries are common across a vast number of industries and occupations. But there are strategies employers can use to prevent them from occurring.
Provide Training and Education
This is a big one, because preventing RSIs requires workers to be mindful of how they move and hold their bodies.
Educate your workforce on the risks of repetitive strain. Teach them the signs that their muscles and joints need a break. Train them in basic ergonomic principles, including good posture and ways of completing tasks that put less strain on their bodies.
Assess the Design of Your Workspaces
Poor posture is a major risk factor for ergonomic injuries, so creating an ergonomically friendly workstation can do a lot to prevent RSIs.
This applies to every corner of the workplace, from the offices to the warehouse and manufacturing floor.
Office spaces should have comfortable and adjustable desk chairs. The computer keyboard and mouse should be in easy reach and positioned so as to allow the wrists to rest comfortably while using them. The monitor should be placed at eye level so employees don’t have to keep their necks tilted up or down while working.
For manufacturing, make sure the equipment can be used without reaching or bending. For certain tasks, a work table with a slight tilt can reduce the strain on the body when compared to a flat, horizontal workstation. Materials that need to be accessed frequently should be kept in a spot that can be reached without needing to twist or bend.
The specific changes you need to make will depend on the type of job being done and the current design of the space. But the ergonomic principles behind them will be the same – it’s all about making sure tasks can be done comfortably and without putting too much stress on the body.
Get the Right Tools
Ergonomically designed tools are helpful, especially for tasks that involve any repetition.
More effective tools can also reduce the risk of RSIs. Sharp knives that allow workers to cut or slice without exerting too much pressure will reduce muscle strain and the risks associated with it.
Select the Right PPE
In some cases, the right PPE or safety equipment can help prevent RSIs.
Workers who use powerful machinery and tools, for example, can benefit from anti-vibration gloves. These gloves minimize the amount of vibrations that transfer from the equipment to the worker’s hands, thereby reducing the risk of hand-arm vibration syndrome (a type of repetitive strain injury).
Employees who have to kneel frequently for their job should be provided with kneepads or cushioned mats. Workers who find it uncomfortable or painful to kneel directly on a hard floor might try to avoid it by crouching or getting in awkward positions, which puts undue strain on the body. Giving them the equipment to protect their knees will, in turn, encourage them to keep a good posture and protect their muscles and joints.
Make Breaks and Rest an Official Company Policy
Encourage employees to take frequent short breaks from repetitive tasks. Depending on their job, that might involve standing up, stepping away from their desk, and walking around for a bit. They might need to put down their tools and give their workstation a quick sweep. Or they might simply need to pause and stretch for a couple of minutes.
It’s important not to leave this entirely up to the workers. It must be made into an official company policies so they know it’s allowed, encouraged, and that they won’t get reprimanded for it. Supervisors and managers should also be instructed to encourage these breaks. Otherwise, workers may feel the pressure to keep up their productivity level and show that they’re working hard, even if it’s putting them at risk.
Redesign Tasks and Procedures
It’s natural for employees to batch similar tasks together so they can be done more efficiently. But if those tasks involve repetitive motion, that can be a problem. If it’s possible, break up repetitive tasks so they’re done in shorter stretches of time. This will give the muscles and joints time to recover before being put to use again.
If you have multiple employees doing similar jobs, you can also use job rotation to spread out repetitive tasks among each worker. For instance, if you have an employee spending an hour working on equipment that requires them to repeatedly pull down on a handle, see if you can split the work up between two or three workers to limit the risk of RSI.
Summary
Repetitive strain injuries often seem like they come out of nowhere. Workers do the same tasks day in and day out without a problem. Then all of a sudden, the aches and pains set in.
But they don’t just happen out of the blue. They’re the result of cumulative strain put on the same muscles, joints, and tendons. And they can be prevented by taking steps to reduce that strain.
It can take some smart workplace design, creative tweaks to working procedures, or just getting the right kind of equipment. But that’s very little effort considering how much aches and pain it will save you and your employees.
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