TORONTO, CANADA
On February 28, UFCW Canada will join workers and other
labour groups around the world to recognize Repetitive Strain Injury Awareness
Day. Health and safety activists initiated the annual day of awareness in 2000
to help bring attention to an occupational hazard that affects thousands of
people in many different sectors of the economy.
Also known as musculoskeletal disorder (MSD), the term
repetitive strain injury (RSI) refers to a number of injuries that affect the
body’s muscles, nerves, and tendons. Some common RSIs include tendinitis,
tenosynovitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
One in 10 Canadian workers is afflicted with some form of
RSI and, besides the emotional strain that these injuries can have on affected
workers and their families, the cost of dealing with RSIs exceeds $26 billion –
or 3 percent of Canada's gross domestic product (GDP) – every year. In Ontario alone, more than 40% of all
lost-time claims are linked to RSI.
Despite the massively negative impact of RSIs on workers and
the economy, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, and
Newfoundland and Labrador are the only provinces– in addition to federally
regulated workplaces – that have so far recognized the need for regulatory
action to address this issue. It is long overdue for other jurisdictions to
join in, because the evidence shows that government regulation, enforcement and
ergonomic standards can help to prevent RSI/MSD injuries.
The reality is that most repetitive strain injuries are
preventable, which is why governments must support effective and enforced
ergonomic regulations — which should also require workplace training to address
RSI issues and prevention.
To help raise awareness, the UFCW Canada Workplace Rights
Committee is making available a series of RSI posters and other related tools
and resources. UFCW Canada's 2015 RSI Awareness Day posters are now available for
download in both French and English. Members, staff, and allies can also access
the MSD Prevention Toolbox – which UFCW Canada co-developed with the Ontario
Ministry of Labour and other stakeholder groups – via the links provided on
this page.