Repetitive Strain Injuries: Ergonomic Assessments and Controls

What are RSIs?

RSIs — or “repetitive strain injuries” — are also known as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). They develop when muscles, tendons, and nerves are stressed repeatedly or held in awkward positions for long periods. The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) defines them as injuries caused by “repeated or sustained exposure to force, vibration, or awkward posture.” (https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/diseases/rmirsi.html)

In plain terms, RSIs happen when your body does the same thing over and over without enough recovery time. Typing, lifting, reaching, or gripping too tightly — it all adds up. At first, it’s a dull ache or stiffness. Then it becomes pain that interferes with work and daily life. Over time, it can lead to permanent tissue damage if not addressed. (https://psacunion.ca/repetitive-strain-injuries)

Why it matters for your business

In Canada, musculoskeletal injuries are a leading cause of lost-time claims and productivity losses. The Government of Canada notes that these injuries result in “considerable pain and suffering for workers and significant costs for employers.” (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/health-safety/reports/ergonomics/module1.html)

For employers, that cost comes in several forms:

• Increased Workers’ Compensation premiums
• Lost productivity and overtime for replacements
• Higher turnover and training costs
• Lower morale and engagement
• Reputation risk and compliance findings during audits

The solution starts with prevention. And prevention starts with a good ergonomic risk assessment.

How to assess ergonomic risk

An ergonomic risk assessment is a structured way to identify, measure, and control workplace hazards that could cause strain injuries. It looks at the task, the worker, the equipment, and the environment. The process blends observation, measurement, and worker feedback.

1. Identify the tasks – List all tasks with repetitive motion, forceful exertion, or awkward posture.
2. Observe posture and movement – Watch how workers perform these tasks. Look for bent wrists, extended reaches, or stooped backs.
3. Evaluate frequency and duration – How often and how long do they perform the motion? High frequency and long exposure times raise risk.
4. Assess existing controls – Are workstations adjustable? Are there lifting devices or rotation schedules?
5. Rank hazards – Prioritize based on exposure, severity, and the number of workers affected.
6. Document and plan – Record your findings, and develop an action plan for control measures.

This approach aligns with the risk assessment principles outlined by the Government of Canada’s ergonomics modules. (https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/health-safety/reports/ergonomics/module1.html)

Ergonomic controls that work

Once risks are identified, apply the hierarchy of controls. Eliminate what you can, engineer what you can’t, and manage the rest through administrative changes and training.

Engineering controls:

• Introduce height-adjustable workstations to fit workers of different sizes.
• Replace repetitive manual lifts with carts, hoists, or conveyors.
• Redesign tools to reduce grip force and vibration.
• Keep frequently used items between shoulder and knee height.

Administrative controls:

• Rotate workers between tasks to reduce repetitive stress.
• Provide microbreaks every 30–60 minutes.
• Include stretch and mobility exercises in daily start-up routines.
• Monitor and adjust workloads to prevent fatigue.

Training and awareness:

• Train workers to recognize early symptoms — tingling, numbness, stiffness.
• Reinforce good posture and lifting techniques.
• Ensure new hires are oriented to ergonomic expectations from day one.

As CCOHS highlights, the key to prevention is designing work to fit the worker, not forcing the worker to fit the work. (https://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/ergonomics/ergo.html)

Quick wins you can apply today

You don’t need a major redesign to start preventing RSIs. A few smart changes can go a long way.

• Check workstation heights — elbows should be at a 90° angle when working at a desk or table.
• Place monitors directly in front of the user at eye level.
• Encourage workers to move every hour — even 60 seconds of stretching helps.
• Use anti-fatigue mats for prolonged standing tasks.
• Reduce forceful grips — use tools with cushioned, contoured handles.
• Keep loads close to the body during lifts.
• Store heavy items between mid-thigh and shoulder height.

Beyond the basics: creating a proactive ergonomics culture

Preventing RSIs isn’t just about fixing chairs and desks. It’s about embedding ergonomics into how your organization thinks and plans work. Here’s how you can build that culture:

1. Make ergonomics part of safety talks. Discuss posture, fatigue, and adjustments as routinely as you discuss PPE and hazard control.
2. Involve workers. They know the pain points best. Their feedback identifies hazards management can’t see.
3. Track and trend data. Review incident and first-aid reports to find repetitive strain patterns.
4. Integrate ergonomics into purchasing. Choose adjustable furniture and vibration-limited tools before injuries happen.
5. Review annually. Work evolves — so should your ergonomic controls.

Ergonomic hazards by environment

Different industries face different ergonomic challenges. Here’s a quick look at a few examples we see often:

Office and administrative work:

• Poor monitor height and chair support
• Keyboard and mouse misalignment
• Prolonged sitting without movement
• Glare and poor lighting causing forward-leaning posture

Construction and trades:

• Awkward lifting of materials
• Vibrating tools such as jackhammers and saws
• Repetitive kneeling or overhead reaching
• Limited access or confined spaces

Warehousing and logistics:

• Manual material handling
• Pushing and pulling heavy carts
• Frequent bending or twisting to reach items
• Fast-paced order picking with little recovery time

Healthcare and service industries:

• Patient or load transfers
• Awkward reaches while cleaning or stocking
• Long standing hours
• Forceful hand motions in kitchen or housekeeping tasks

Each of these scenarios requires slightly different controls, but all start with the same principles: identify, assess, and adapt the work to fit the human body.

Legal and compliance considerations in Alberta

Under the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act and Code, employers are legally required to identify, assess, and control hazards that could cause harm — including ergonomic and musculoskeletal hazards. (https://ohs-pubstore.labour.alberta.ca/l42)
While the Code doesn’t have a single “ergonomics” section, the duty to assess and control these hazards is covered under:

• Part 2: Hazard Assessment, Elimination and Control
• Part 27: Violence and Harassment (for psychosocial strain factors)
• Part 18: Personal Protective Equipment (where applicable)

Employers must demonstrate due diligence — meaning reasonable steps have been taken to protect workers. An ergonomic risk assessment is strong evidence of compliance and proactive management.

Why prevention pays off

When ergonomic controls are implemented, companies report:

• Fewer lost-time incidents
• Better productivity and quality
• Lower turnover and absenteeism
• Higher morale and engagement
• Improved audit scores and COR/SECOR readiness

Ergonomics isn’t an expense — it’s an investment that keeps workers healthy, operations efficient, and your organization in compliance.

Final Thoughts

RSIs are preventable, but only if you treat them as part of your overall safety management system. Ergonomic risk assessment is the foundation: it gives you the insight to act before injuries happen. Once you identify the hazards, practical controls — many of them low-cost — can eliminate or greatly reduce risk.

Calgary Safety Consultants makes that process simple. We’ve helped hundreds of Alberta companies build effective OH&S programs that include ergonomic hazard assessments, safe work practices, and hands-on training. Whether you’re a small business or a multi-site operation, we’ll help you integrate ergonomics into your safety culture — keeping your team safe, productive, and compliant.

If your workplace could use a fresh set of eyes on its ergonomic risks, connect with us today.

Connect with us here and let us help you improve your OH&S practices. 

Because a safer workplace starts with smarter policy. Let’s build it together.

About the author

John Duplessis, B.Sc., CRSP

President and Principal Health & Safety Consultant

John Duplessis is a Canadian Registered Safety Professional with more than 30 years of occupational health and safety experience in oil and gas, construction, green energy, midstream operations, and industrial project work.

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