--- title: Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) - The White Collar Injury description: The fastest growing WCB injury is found in the White Collar sector of the workforce. The incidence of Repetitive Strain Injuries and their subsequent treatment now make up over 30% of compensation costs. What can be done about it? --- [![BCL Consulting Group Inc.](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-Apr2015/header2.jpg?width=950&height=89&name=header2.jpg)](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/index.php) - [Home](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/) - [About BCL](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/general/about-bcl.html) - [WCB Consulting](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/wcb-injury-consulting/) - [Appeal Preparation & Presentation](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/wcb-injury-consulting/appeal-preparation-and-presentation.html) - [Classification and Assessment Review](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/wcb-injury-consulting/classification-and-assessment-review.html) - [Current Claims Management Program](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/wcb-injury-consulting/current-claims-management-program.html) - [Historical Cost Recovery Review](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/wcb-injury-consulting/historical-cost-recovery-review.html) - [Industry Custom Pricing (ICP)](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/wcb-injury-consulting/industry-custom-pricing-icp.html) - [Safety Audits](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/safety-audits/) - [COR Audits](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/safety-audits/cor-audits.html) - [Gap Analysis](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/safety-audits/gap-analysis.html) - [Occupational Risk Management](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/occupational-risk-management/) - [Back and Lifting Education](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/occupational-risk-management/back-and-lifting-education.html) - [Ergonomic Analysis](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/occupational-risk-management/ergonomic-analysis.html) - [Repetitive Strain Injury Education Sessions](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/occupational-risk-management/repetitive-strain-injury-prevention.html) - [Modified Duties Program Development](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/occupational-risk-management/modified-duties-program.html) - [Health and Safety](https://www.bclconsulting.ca/safety-support/overview/) - [Overview](https://www.bclconsulting.ca/safety-support/overview/) - [First Aid/TDG/WHMIS Training](https://www.bclconsulting.ca/safety-support/first-aid-tdg-whmis-training/) - [News](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/blog) - [Request Info](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/request-info.html) - [Contact Us](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/general/contact-bcl-consulting-group-inc.html) # BCL Consulting Blog # Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) - The White Collar Injury Posted by [Rebecca Ingram](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/blog/author/rebecca-ingram) on Aug 10, 2015 1:08:00 PM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) ![shutterstock_238409218](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Photos/shutterstock_238409218.jpg?width=675&height=450&name=shutterstock_238409218.jpg "shutterstock_238409218") Worker’s Compensation isn't just for labourers, or anyone working in a hazardous industry who is subject to physical injuries like broken bones, back sprains, muscle strains and industrial fatalities. Over time, WCB coverage has become much more comprehensive and now, depending on the jurisdiction, up to 90% of the workforce is covered -- including office workers, and the injuries associated with their employment. Since the 1970’s, the incidence of white collar accidents or injuries has been steadily increasing -- most notably with the advancement of technology and the introduction of digital equipment like computers. The impact is seen with the increase of WCB claims for **Repetitive Strain Injuries (RSI)** that are accepted and adjudicated as being work-related. These injuries account for approximately ⅓ of workers compensation paid out in the US and Australia and affect nearly 30% of all workers. [Epicondylitis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epicondylitis), [tendinosis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendinosis), [tendinitis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tendinitis), [tenosynovitis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tenosynovitis) and  [carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carpal_tunnel_syndrome) are just a few of the diagnoses encompassed by the RSI umbrella. There is some discussion within the medical community as to the exact cause of these injuries, how they develop and what role work duties may play. It's generally agreed that overuse of muscles in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck and back are linked to RSI symptoms. The use of vibrating tools, forceful movements, repetitive actions performed in a cold environment and repeated actions which are performed on a daily basis over a long period of time -- including the extensive use of a computer keyboard and mouse -- are known to be contributing factors. What remains a mystery is why some people are affected and others are not. Two workers can perform exactly the same job, for the same length of time, in the same environment, using the same equipment and while one may develop RSI, the other may not, which casts some doubt on whether RSI is a work-related injury. Regardless of whether the medical community can agree on the root cause and whether or not RSI is work-related, the fact remains that any worker suffering from RSI may have difficulty performing their job duties and need to take time off work. Ultimately, this will affect productivity and operating costs, so preventing or addressing RSI in the workplace is paramount to reducing claims and minimizing claims costs and time loss. If you are looking for a good resource for detailed informatioin and photos on preventing computer-related RSI check[ here](http://www.rsiprevention.com/rsi_prevention.php). Listed below are some simple tips tha can be put into use right away : 1. **Pay Attention to How You Work:** 1. **Take Regular Breaks:** 1. **Exercise**: 2. **Posture makes Perfect:** 3. **Assess the Workstation:** 4. **Set Reminders:**   [![Request a Call Back from BCL Consulting!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/515873/214e7e84-b4bf-48ea-b7e5-4432299fd8d9.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/515873/214e7e84-b4bf-48ea-b7e5-4432299fd8d9) Topics: [Safety](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/blog/topic/safety) ### Social Media - [![Facebook](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-Apr2015/1422662064_square-facebook-128.png?width=128&height=128&name=1422662064_square-facebook-128.png)](https://www.facebook.com/bclconsultingcanada) - [![Twitter](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-Apr2015/1422662174_square-twitter-128.png?width=128&height=128&name=1422662174_square-twitter-128.png)](https://twitter.com/BCL_Consulting) - [![Linkedin](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-Apr2015/1422662177_square-linkedin-128.png?width=128&height=128&name=1422662177_square-linkedin-128.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/bcl-consulting-group-inc.?trk=top_nav_home) ### Resources - [![WCB](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-Apr2015/logo_wcb-1.gif?width=90&height=28&name=logo_wcb-1.gif)](http://www.wcb.ab.ca/) - [![logo_wsa](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-Apr2015/logo_wsa.gif?width=87&height=63&name=logo_wsa.gif)](http://employment.alberta.ca/whs/network/) - [![logo_ccohs](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-Apr2015/logo_ccohs.gif?width=100&height=19&name=logo_ccohs.gif)](http://www.ccohs.ca/) - [![logo_saintJohn](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-Apr2015/logo_saintJohn.gif?width=83&height=97&name=logo_saintJohn.gif)](http://www.sja.ca/) - [![logo_gov](https://www1.bclconsulting.ca/hs-fs/hubfs/Image-Apr2015/logo_gov.gif?width=79&height=28&name=logo_gov.gif)](http://www.gov.ab.ca/) ### Subscribe - [Request Information](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/request-info/) - [About BCL](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/general/about-bcl.html) - [Contact Us](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/general/contact-bcl-consulting-group-inc.html) - [Home](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/) - [WCB Consulting](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/wcb-injury-consulting/) - [Risk Management](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/occupational-risk-management/) - [Health and Safety](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/health-and-safety/) - [Sitemap](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/component/option,com_xmap/Itemid,64/sitemap,1/) - [Privacy Statement](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/general/bcl-consulting-group-inc-privacy-statement.html) - [Login](http://www.bclconsulting.ca/log-in.html) **BCL Consulting Group Inc.** D14, 6115 - 3rd St. SE Calgary, AB T2H 2L2 T: 403.291.9545 F: 403.291.9789 **BCL Consulting Group Inc.** 12 Blackfoot Road Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4P4 T: 780.467.7613 F: 780.449.5656 [Calgary Web](http://www.webcandy.ca/)[Design by BlueOcean](http://www.blueoceaninteractive.com) ![](https://dc.ads.linkedin.com/collect/?pid=59623&fmt=gif)