February 29th is Repetitive Stress Injury (RSI) Awareness Day because it is the only ‘nonrepetitive’ day of the year.
Repetitive Stress Injuries are soft-tissue injuries that happen over time and can limit normal daily activities and cause persistent pain. RSI can affect the muscles, nerves and tendons of the neck, upper and lower back, shoulders, arms and hands. These injuries are commonly caused by repetitive or forceful actions or working in awkward positions.
In 2019, 41 of our Lab co-workers experienced RSI-related issues. 20 of the 41 injuries (49%) were so severe they required medical treatment, therapy, and/or prescription medications as treatment. These injuries occurred while performing lab, material handling, and office-related activities.
Here are some symptoms that may be warning signs of a repetitive strain injury.
- Numbness
- Pins & Needles/Tingling
- Pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Redness
- Skin color changes
- Throbbing
- Weakness
If you experience any of these, please notify your supervisor and contact Health Services.
Prevention tips:
- Adjust your workstation to promote good posture and comfort
- Avoid prolonged sitting or standing postures
- Take breaks throughout the day. EHS Ergo Team recommends changing postures or moving every 45-60 minutes for 3-5 minutes
- Vary your posture; alternate and change positions
- Avoid working directly on your laptop as much as possible; even when on travel or in meetings
- Plan ahead for workload changes and project deadlines
Helpful resources:
- Visit the Ergonomics Website: ergo.lbl.gov
- Install RSI Guard software.lbl.gov
