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Monday Feb 28, 2005 - International RSI Awareness Day
Monday February 28th will mark the 6th Annual International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day.
Repetitive strain injury (RSI) is an umbrella term for a number of overuse injuries affecting muscles, tendons, and nerves of the neck, upper and lower back, chest, shoulders, arms and hands. Typically arising as aches and pains, these injuries can progress to become crippling disorders that prevent sufferers from working or leading
normal lives. Tendonitis, tenosynovitis and carpal tunnel syndrome are common RSIs.
In Canada, approximately one out of fifteen adults has experienced a repetitive strain injury serious enough to limit their normal activity according to a recent Statistics Canada study.
A variety of workplace factors can play a role in the development of RSIs including: repetition, work pace, awkward or fixed positions, forceful movements, vibration, cold temperatures, and insufficient recovery time.
Work shouldn’t hurt. RSIs detract from quality of life for sufferers and their families.
On and around RSI Day, injured workers, trade unionists, health and safety professionals, health care practitioners, and others take time to help raise awareness of RSIs and the need for action aimed at prevention, rehabilitation and compensation.
All year long, locals should encourage members to report RSI problems to employers, file WSIB claims for all workplace injuries or pain, and ensure that ergonomic problems are included in the priorities of joint health and safety committees.
Members are also encouraged to organize or take part in a RSI Day event in their workplace or community.
An event will be held in Toronto:
Symposium on Activism
Moving from Awareness to Action
Location: OPSEU Membership Training Centre (1st Floor), 31 Wellesley Street East, Toronto, Ontario (Across from Wellesley subway station, between Yonge St. and Church St.)
Date: Monday, February 28, 2005
Time: Symposium: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Lunch: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. (light lunch provided)
Visit to Queen's Park: Participants will meet at Queens Park at 1:30 p.m.
Proceed to the public gallery: 2:00 p.m.
Invited Speakers:
Dr. Richard Wells, University of Waterloo
Cathy Walker, CAW Health and Safety Director
Nancy Hutchison, USWA Health and Safety Coordinator
Vern Edwards, Ontario Federation of Labour
Audrey Parkes, RSI Activist Group
If you are planning to attend, please RSVP to Enzo Mancuso @ (416) 441-1939 extension 3010 or by email" enzo@whsc.on.ca
For a list of RSI Events across Ontario, click www.whsc.on.ca/RSIday/05_locations.html
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