These days, employees may encounter all different types of accidents in the workplace, but one of the most common physical injuries that workers experience is repetitive stress injuries (RSI). According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), repetitive stress injuries affect the lives of approximately 1.8 million workers each year.
Causes of a Repetitive Stress Injury
Repetitive stress injuries occur when the muscle and nerves are damaged due to repetitive motion, muscle fatigue, overexertion. Worker’s in physically demanding jobs such as in the construction or manufacturing industry tend to lift heavy equipment and are more susceptible to a stress injury.
These workers are more likely to sustain a musculoskeletal disorder by using excessive force and engaging in a repetitive activity over an extended period without rest as part of their job duties or tasks. Still, workers often don’t realize the severity that this stress injury can cause.
There are also common muscular conditions that can develop from repetitive stress, such as:
Tendinitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Rotator Cuff Injuries
Symptoms of Repetitive Stress Injuries
Symptoms associated with repetitive stress injuries can vary based on severity; if not treated immediately can result in more severe muscular conditions. However, the most common symptoms of repetitive stress injuries are:
Numbness.
Pain, aching, or tenderness.
Stiffness.
Tingling or throbbing.
How to Prevent Repetitive Stress Injuries
Each year roughly 600,000 workers have to take time off because of musculoskeletal injuries. To ensure your safety, there are a few things you should do:
Maintain good posture at work.
Engage in regular breaks while doing repetitive tasks.
Engage in stretching and flexibility exercises to prevent overexertion and muscle fatigue.
If you are suffering from a repetitive stress injury, we advise that you seek medical treatment immediately. If you have sustained injuries on the job, we recommend filing a worker’s compensation claim and consulting a worker’s compensation attorney to help you file your claim and access treatment.
Contact a Glendale Workplace Injury Lawyer
Glauber Berenson Vego has over 100 years of collective legal experience representing injured workers in the Glendale, Los Angeles, and Downey areas. Contact us today at (626) 605-2450 for a free consultation so that you can discuss your concerns with one of our seasoned attorneys.