Ergonomic week continues: What is an RSI?
April 14, 2008 by Marijke Durning, RN
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
We hear about repetitive stress injuries (RSIs), but what exactly are they?
An RSI isn’t one specific injury, but it’s the name given a group of injuries caused by doing the same motion over and over again. RSIs aren’t new but they are becoming more prevalent now because of the types of work we do.
For example, in grocery stores, the cashiers used to have to reach for the food, punch in the prices and often have to bag the food, stop, take the money and make change. All these actions required different movements and used different muscles. Now, look at what the grocery store cashier does now. She (or he) reaches for the food, skims it over the scanner – again and again and again. They make change but in many stores, the consumers bag their own items now, so the cashier doesn’t even do that. So, here you have someone standing in the same position, shift after shift, making the same motions again and again. Is it any wonder that cashiers can develop problems with their arms, legs, feet and back?
When I say “think of RSI and tell me what your first thought is.” I can almost guarantee you that you’ll think of an office worker type of injury, like carpal tunnel. But, like in my example above, it can happen anywhere or any one.
So, what can the cashier do to help relieve the stress on the body?
- ask for special mat to stand on. There are special mats that absorb the weight of the body and make it easier on the feet and legs to stand
- have a foot rest so you can put one foot on it while standing at the cash. Standing on both legs at even height all the time is bad for the back. By having one foot forward a bit and up, the stress is taken off the back
- take frequent breaks. If you can’t take frequent breaks, make sure to exercise a bit to use other muscles. Stretch your arms gently towards the back, side to side and up. Move from one leg to another, and so on.
If anyone has any other ideas, please post them and you will be entered into our Work Safe, Play Safe contest.
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