IIRSM Accredited Programs
Repetitive Strain Injuries and Office Ergonomics
Course Description
The purpose of this 3-day course is to provide participants with required knowledge and skills to enable them to identify symptoms and causes of work-related upper limbs disorders. Throughout the course, participants would be able to achieve a better understanding of office ergonomic setup and be able to evaluate and adjust their own workstations accordingly.
- Despite common beliefs that the office provides a safe environment in which to work, many hazards exist which cause thousands of injuries and health problems each year among office workers. Since one-third of the work force is in offices, even low rates of work-related injuries and illnesses can have an immense impact on employee safety and health.
- The delivery will be done using a blended learning approach using a variety of training methods including role playing, individual activities, group discussions and activities, relevant case studies to keep trainees always engaged.
- The course examines various approaches and techniques to identify repetitive strain injuries symptoms and causes
- There will be a focus is on ergonomic workstation setup as it’s one of the root causes of such injuries.
- Each candidate using a checklist provided by the trainer would carry out a practical application of workstation evaluation.
Completed checklists in addition to completed multiple-choice questions would be assessed to verify competence.
Course Objective
By the end of this training program, participants would be able to
- Know the and understand the causes of repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or upper limbs disorders
- Know the symptoms of Repetitive strain/motion injuries
- Have a better understanding of ergonomic principles.
- Outline exercises designed to reduce the risk of injury.
- Identify different symptoms and causes of discomfort.
- Conduct an evaluation and adjustment of ?their own workstation.
- Gain the necessary skills and knowledge to identify a repetitive strain injury at its early stages
- Know of Behavioral and environmental factors leading to such injuries
- Know about types of equipment and ergonomic accessories effective in reducing the risk of injury
- Do exercises and stretches that can help to prevent or relieve RSI
- Learn practical and realistic prevention methods?
- Know the causes, consequences, and related costs of occupational stress.
Target Audience
All employees
Course Outline
The course will cover the following topics:
- Causes of RSIs
- Forceful or awkward grip
- Improper use of equipment
- Rapid repetitive movements
- Lack of job variation
- Inadequate rest breaks
- Poor tool and equipment design
- An increase in workload or/hours
- Vibration
- Excessive force
- Awkward work positions
- Forceful or awkward grip
- Improper use of equipment
- Rapid repetitive movements
- Stages of Pain
- Early
- Intermediate
- Advanced
- Symptoms of RSIs
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Shoulder pain and injuries
- Loss of sensation
- Swelling around the wrist/hand
- Headaches
- Eye discomfort and strain
- Muscle weakness, fatigue and muscle spasm
- Joint restrictions and loss of movement
- Tennis elbow
- Ganglion
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Risk Factors
- Physical
- Force
- Posture
- Frequency and duration
- Psychological
- Cognitive (mental effort)
- Psychosocial
- Social Interactions at Work
- Organizational (Work Schedules – Workloads and Overtime)
- Environment
- Noise Levels
- Noise Reduction
- Temperature & Humidity
- Increasing Comfort
- Lighting (Eyestrain – Preventing Vision Problems)
- Physical
- Office Ergonomics
- What is Ergonomics?
- Adjusting your Work station
- Sitting practices
- Wrist
- Elbows
- Shoulders
- Neck
- Lower back
- Hips
- Knees
- Feet
- Work Surface
- Keyboard and Mouse
- Monitor
- Brightness
- Screen color
- Color use guidelines
- Monitor
- Ergonomic Accessories
- Document Holder
- Footrest
- Palm/Wrist Support
- Telephone
- Job Design
- Task Variety
- Work Pace
- Work Breaks
- Rest Breaks
- Adjustment Period
- Workstation evaluation and setup
- Chair considerations and adjustments
- Keyboard and Mouse setup and considerations
- Monitor Placement
- Glare and Reflections
- Ergonomic accessories (Document Holder, Footrest, etc..)
- Work area
- Workplace and Office Exercises
- Workstation Checklist
- Symptom Troubleshooting
- Sick Building Syndrome
- Office air and Ventilation
- Occupational Stress (Definition, causes, and symptoms)

Ref | language | Mode | From | To |
IIRSM02 | English | Live Virtual | 7-3-2023 | 8-3-2023 |
IIRSM02 | English | Live Virtual | 7-3-2023 | 8-3-2023 |
IIRSM02 | English | Live Virtual | 13-6-2023 | 14-6-2023 |