Workers often end up doing the same tasks on the job, as is the nature of most job positions.
However, doing these repetitive tasks can end in a worker suffering from a repetitive strain injury, or an RSI. This is a bigger deal than most people think.
How do RSIs happen?
The Cleveland Clinic discusses repetitive strain injuries on the job. These injuries happen when a person does the same motion, gesture or movement over and over.
Typically, RSIs do not happen overnight. But they can start to form after even just a few weeks or days, depending on the intensity of the job and its physical demand.
Who suffers from RSIs?
The most concerning part about an RSI is the fact that it can impact anyone in just about any field. Whether someone is a school teacher, a surgeon, a cashier, a chef, a firefighter, a car mechanic, an artist or anything in between, chances are high that the individual does at least a few repeated motions over the course of their work day.
In short, all workplaces should treat RSIs as a real threat that could affect their workers.
Why is an RSI a risk?
To many, RSIs may become potential career-enders. This happens because an RSI takes a long time to heal, and many workers end up returning to their job before the injury fully recovers.
This leads to a vicious cycle in which the injury continues worsening and the worker cannot do their job properly, putting their employment at risk.