Occupational Disease

Occupational diseases can be caused by regular exposure to hazardous chemicals and other environmental toxins. They can also be caused by repetitive and excessive movements.

Musculoskeletal Disorders, also known as Repetitive Strain Injuries (or RSIs), are caused by wear and tear on the soft tissues of the body, including tendons, nerves and the circulatory system. Though there are numerous RSIs, the most commonly known RSIs include tendonitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, bursitis and trigger finger.

Symptoms vary depending on the disease, but those afflicted often experience tightness, soreness, pain, tingling or numbness and the loss of strength in the affected body part. 

While nearly every employee, whether they work in an office or a factory, can develop an RSI, there are several things that can be done to reduce the risk. These include:

• Avoid repetitive motions by varying the activities you do throughout the day.
• Take frequent short breaks. Experts recommend taking a break every 50 minutes to stretch and move around.
• Set up your workstation properly to avoid muscle strain. This includes placing the keyboard at waist level and positioning the computer monitor and other frequently used equipment directly in front of you. To reduce neck and shoulder strain when simultaneously using the phone and computer, consider purchasing a headset for your phone. Ergonomically designed keyboards and wrist guards can also help reduce arm and wrist strain.
• See a doctor as soon as you experience symptoms of an RSI. They can be treated more effectively if they are diagnosed early before symptoms become serious. Treatment of RSIs include rest, medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy and, in serious cases, surgery.