Health and Safety
February 29, 2008
International RSI Awareness Day
February 29, 2005 marks the 9th International RSI Awareness Day – a day set aside each year to focus attention on repetitive strain injuries. Held on the last day of February, it is the only ‘non-repetitive' day on the calendar and is officially observed on February 29th (in non-leap years, RSI Awareness Day is observed on February 28th.) On this day, workers and their Unions participate in various activities to help raise awareness about RSI and the need for action aimed at prevention, rehabilitation and compensation.
Repetitive strain injuries, also known as musculoskeletal injuries (MSI's) is an generalized term that is used to describe a series of painful disorders affecting tendons, muscles, nerves and joins in the neck, upper and lower back, chest, shoulders, arms and hands. These disorders are caused by work activities that are frequent and repetitive, or activities that involve awkward postures.
RSI remains today a serious work related health problem, and is recognized as a leading cause of significant human suffering. They are found in any workplace and affect workers in a variety of occupations.
In 1995, the Public Service Alliance of Canada deplored the lack of Ergonomics Regulations because they can help prevent and reduce the incidence of Repetitive Strain Injuries. To date, only the provinces of British Columbia and Saskatchewan have developed specific Ergonomic regulations.
For over a decade PSAC had been pushing for a similar Ergonomic regulation for the Federal jurisdiction, under Part II of the Canada Labour Code. Although not totally successful, changes have been made to the Prevention Program Regulation (Part XIX of the Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations) that will require employers to address ergonomic hazards in the workplace.
Employers, with the participation of Workplace Health and Safety Committees, will be required to indentify and assess ergonomic hazards in the workplace, and to introduce corrective measures, such as equipment redesign or mechanical aids, to address the identified ergonomic hazards.
To mark February 29th, 2008, the International RSI Awareness Day, we should ensure that our employers are implementing the required identification and assessment of ergonomic hazards in our workplaces.
And for members under provincial or territorial jurisdiction where ergonomic regulations do not exist, the fight must continue to push those provincial and territorial government to pass the necessary legislation that will provide protection for all workers against the health effects of RSI.
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Date Modified : 2008/03/03
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