Which of the following considerations will help prevent repetitive strain injury?

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is a term sometimes used for pain caused by repeated movement of part of the body. It often gets better on its own, but there are things you can do to help speed up your recovery.

Check if it's repetitive strain injury (RSI)

You can get repetitive strain injury (RSI) in many parts of the body, but it most often affects the:

  • shoulders
  • elbows
  • forearms and wrists
  • hands and fingers

The symptoms usually start gradually and can include:

  • pain, which may feel like burning, aching or throbbing
  • stiffness and weakness
  • tingling, pins-and-needles or numbness
  • muscle cramps
  • swelling

Causes of repetitive strain injury (RSI)

Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is caused by repeated use of a body part, such as your shoulder, elbow, forearm, wrist or hand.

For example, you can get RSI if:

  • you do repetitive activities like hairdressing, decorating, typing or working on an assembly line
  • you play sports like golf or tennis that involve lots of repetitive movements
  • you have poor posture when sitting or standing at work
  • you use hand-held power tools regularly

Repetitive or strenuous work does not always cause RSI. Many people do the same job for years without having a problem.

Pain in a part of the body like the arm is often caused by a combination of things, including aging.

Things you can do to help ease repetitive strain injury (RSI)

There are a number of things you can do to help ease the symptoms of repetitive strain injury (RSI).

Do

  • keep active – you may need to limit the amount of activity you do to start with before gradually increasing it

  • take paracetamol or anti-inflammatory painkillers like ibuprofen – you can get tablets or gels that you rub on the painful area

  • try using a hot or cold pack (or a bag of frozen peas) wrapped in a towel on the affected area for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours

  • speak to your employer about ways they can help you continue working, like changing the way you work or reducing your hours

Don’t

  • do not rest the affected area for more than a few days – resting for too long can lead to the affected body part becoming weaker and less flexible

A pharmacist can help with RSI

You can ask a pharmacist:

  • about painkilling tablets and gels
  • if you need to see a GP

Find a pharmacy

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • you have symptoms of repetitive strain injury (RSI) and they are not going away or are getting worse

Treatment for repetitive strain injury (RSI)

Most people with repetitive strain injury (RSI) are able to manage their symptoms and get better without further treatment.

Physiotherapy

If your symptoms do not improve, you may be referred for physiotherapy.

As well as massaging the affected area, a physiotherapist can show you exercises to help strengthen your muscles and improve your posture.

Physiotherapy is free on the NHS throughout the UK but waiting times can be long. You can also pay to see a physiotherapist privately.

Find a physiotherapist

Other treatments

Sometimes steroid injections may be recommended to help reduce pain and swelling.

Rarely, surgery may be needed if RSI is very severe.

Page last reviewed: 24 May 2022
Next review due: 24 May 2025

  1. Safety and Health Topics
  2. Ergonomics

Ergonomics

Overview

Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders in the Workplace

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) affect the muscles, nerves, blood vessels, ligaments and tendons. Workers in many different industries and occupations can be exposed to risk factors at work, such as lifting heavy items, bending, reaching overhead, pushing and pulling heavy loads, working in awkward body postures and performing the same or similar tasks repetitively. Exposure to these known risk factors for MSDs increases a worker's risk of injury.

Work-related MSDs can be prevented. Ergonomics --- fitting a job to a person --- helps lessen muscle fatigue, increases productivity and reduces the number and severity of work-related MSDs.

Impact of MSDs in the Workplace

Work-related MSDs are among the most frequently reported causes of lost or restricted work time.

A Process for Protecting Workers

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their workers. In the workplace, the number and severity of MSDs resulting from physical overexertion, and their associated costs, can be substantially reduced by applying ergonomic principles.

Implementing an ergonomic process is effective in reducing the risk of developing MSDs in high-risk industries as diverse as construction, food processing, firefighting, office jobs, healthcare, transportation and warehousing. The following are important elements of an ergonomic process:

  • Provide Management Support - A strong commitment by management is critical to the overall success of an ergonomic process. Management should define clear goals and objectives for the ergonomic process, discuss them with their workers, assign responsibilities to designated staff members, and communicate clearly with the workforce.
  • Involve Workers - A participatory ergonomic approach, where workers are directly involved in worksite assessments, solution development and implementation is the essence of a successful ergonomic process. Workers can:
    • Identify and provide important information about hazards in their workplaces.
    • Assist in the ergonomic process by voicing their concerns and suggestions for reducing exposure to risk factors and by evaluating the changes made as a result of an ergonomic assessment.
  • Provide Training - Training is an important element in the ergonomic process. It ensures that workers are aware of ergonomics and its benefits, become informed about ergonomics related concerns in the workplace, and understand the importance of reporting early symptoms of MSDs.
  • Identify Problems - An important step in the ergonomic process is to identify and assess ergonomic problems in the workplace before they result in MSDs.
  • Encourage Early Reporting of MSD Symptoms - Early reporting can accelerate the job assessment and improvement process, helping to prevent or reduce the progression of symptoms, the development of serious injuries, and subsequent lost-time claims.
  • Implement Solutions to Control Hazards - There are many possible solutions that can be implemented to reduce, control or eliminate workplace MSDs.
  • Evaluate Progress - Established evaluation and corrective action procedures are required  to periodically assess the effectiveness of the ergonomic process and to ensure its continuous improvement and long-term success. As an ergonomic process is first developing, assessments should include determining whether goals set for the ergonomic process have been met and determining the success of the implemented ergonomic solutions.

Note: An ergonomic process uses the principles of a safety and health program to address MSD hazards. Such a process should be viewed as an ongoing function that is incorporated into the daily operations, rather than as an individual project.

Examples of Musculoskeletal Disorders (MSDs)

  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Tendinitis
  • Rotator cuff injuries (affects the shoulder)
  • Epicondylitis (affects the elbow)
  • Trigger finger
  • Muscle strains and low back injuries

Existing Guidelines

OSHA

  • Beverage Distribution Hazard Alert Letter. OSHA, (August 18, 2011).
  • Solutions for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Foundries. OSHA Publication 3465, (2012).
  • Guidelines for Nursing Homes: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders. OSHA Publication 3182, (2003, Revised March 2009).
  • Guidelines for Shipyards: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders. OSHA Publication 3341, (2008).
  • Guidelines for Retail Grocery Stores: Ergonomics for the Prevention of Musculoskeletal Disorders. OSHA Publication 3192, (2004).
  • Prevention of Musculoskeletal Injuries in Poultry Processing (EPUB | MOBI). OSHA Publication 3213, (2004, Revised 2013). Also available in Spanish (EPUB | MOBI).
  • Ergonomics Program Management Guidelines for Meatpacking Plants. OSHA Publication 3123, (1993).

NIOSH

  • Evaluation of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Other Musculoskeletal Disorders at a Poultry Processing Plant. NIOSH Health Hazard Evaluation (HHE) Report 2014-0040-3232 (March 2015, Revised June 2015).
  • High Prevalence of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome in Poultry Plant Workers. NIOSH Science Blog, (April 6, 2015).
  • Ergonomic Solutions for Retailers: Prevention of Material Handling Injuries in the Grocery Sector (PDF). DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2015-100, (October 2014).
  • Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling (PDF). DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2007-131, (2007).
  • A Guide to Selecting Non-Powered Hand Tools (PDF). DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 2004-164, (2004). Also available in Spanish.
  • Elements of Ergonomics Programs: A Primer Based on Workplace Evaluations of Musculoskeletal Disorders (PDF). Publication No. 97-117, (March 1997).

High Risk Occupations for MSDs

  • Registered nurses, nursing assistants and psychiatric aides
  • Firefighters and prevention workers
  • Laborers and freight, stock and material movers
  • Janitors and cleaners
  • Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers
  • Refuse and recyclable material collectors
  • Stock clerks and order fillers
  • Maids and housekeeping cleaners
  • Light truck or delivery services drivers
  • Telecommunications line installers and repairers
  • Bus drivers, transit and intercity
  • Production workers
  • Police and sheriff patrol officers
  • Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
  • Plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters
  • Maintenance and repair workers, general

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Economic News Release


Which of the following considerations will help prevent repetitive strain injury RSI )?

There are things you can do to help reduce your risk of getting RSI, such as: maintaining good posture at work. taking regular breaks from long or repetitive tasks – it's better to take smaller, more frequent breaks than one long lunch break. trying breathing exercises if you're stressed.

Which of the following will prevent repetitive strain injuries when working with a computer keyboard quizlet?

Entering commands on the computer keyboard instead of using the mouse as a pointer is an effective way to prevent repetitive movement injuries.

Which of the following keyboards helps reduce repetitive strain injuries by minimizing muscle strain?

An ergonomic keyboard is a computer keyboard designed with ergonomic considerations to minimize muscle strain, fatigue, and other problems.

Which of the following recommendations will help prevent shoulder problems?

Exercises. Increasing strength and flexibility is the best way to keep your shoulders healthy and prevent injuries.