Health & Safety > Occupational Overuse and Repetition Strain Prevention Procedure
Authorised by Chief Executive Officer
Revised Date: 20 January 2023
As part of Kyeema’s health and safety responsibilities, efforts are made to ensure that all work is undertaken in a safe manner. This includes work that may lead to repetition strain injuries or overuse injuries.
Definition:
Occupational overuse syndrome, also known as repetition strain injury (RSI), is a collective term for a range of conditions, characterised by discomfort or persistent pain in muscles, tendons and other soft tissues, with or without physical manifestations.
Occupational overuse syndrome is usually caused or aggravated by work, and is associated with repetitive movement, sustained or constrained postures and/or forceful movements. Psycho-social factors, including stress in the working environment, may be important in the development of occupational overuse syndrome.
Factors to include in the prevention of overuse injury and repetition strain injury
Prevention may include a range of factors, including:
•Approaches to the job design to prevent or minimise certain movements
•Organisational and technical change
•Workstation design including appropriate equipment
•Ergonomic factors
•Work planning that includes plant and equipment use in supported employment should take risk of repetition strain into consideration
Reporting hazards
Workers who experience overuse or repetition strain or discomfort should report this to their supervisor/manager so that steps can be taken to address the problem. Early intervention is the best way to prevent the risk of injury.
Related Policies, Procedures and Documents:
Computer and General Workstation Ergonomics SF-01