Online Reporter
Tendai Gukutikwa
Health Reporter
HEALTH experts have raised concern over the growing risk of Repetitive Strain Injuries among workers, warning that repeated movements, awkward postures and prolonged exertion are steadily compromising the health and productivity of the workforce.
Although often associated with office workers who spend long hours typing, occupational therapist, Mr Clyde Dube, said the problem is much broader, and is affecting workers across agricultural, mining, manufacturing and informal sectors.
“RSIs are injuries affecting muscles, nerves, tendons and joints as a result of repeatedly performing the same movements or maintaining the same position for prolonged periods. In Manicaland, where agriculture and mining remain important livelihoods, workers routinely perform physically demanding and repetitive tasks that expose them to strain. Farm workers may spend hours weeding, planting or harvesting, while miners repeatedly operate equipment, handle tools or work in confined spaces. Office workers may remain seated at computers for much of the day,” said Mr Dube, adding that prevention is more cost-effective than rehabilitation and employers should encourage early reporting of symptoms.
“Prevention is far more cost-effective than rehabilitation. Workers should have access to occupational therapy assessment when they first experience discomfort, rather than waiting until the problem becomes severe,” he said, further recommending practical, sector-specific preventive measures.
In agriculture, duties should be rotated to avoid overuse of the same muscle groups, tools should be properly maintained and fitted with appropriately sized or cushioned handles, and short rest periods should be introduced during repetitive activities such as weeding and harvesting, supported by training in correct lifting and bending techniques.
In mining, he advised rotating workers between repetitive and less strenuous tasks, maintaining equipment to reduce vibration, redesigning tools and workstations to minimise awkward postures in confined spaces, encouraging stretching breaks and avoiding unnecessarily prolonged shifts.
Office workers, he said, also face significant risks with increased reliance on computers.
He advised positioning monitors at eye level, maintaining neutral wrist positions while typing, using adjustable chairs with adequate lumbar support and taking regular movement breaks instead of remaining seated for hours.
“Bodies were not designed for endless repetition without variation and recovery.
“Whether you are working in a maize field, a mine shaft or an office, the principle remains the same,” said Mr Dube, urging employers to conduct regular ergonomic risk assessments and involve workers in identifying tasks that cause discomfort.
“Workers often know the pain points in their jobs best. Their experiences should therefore be part of efforts to identify and address ergonomic risks,” he said.
He said identifying specific activities responsible for strain is critical to prevent minor discomfort from developing into serious conditions.
“An ergonomic assessment looks at how a worker’s body interacts with tools, seating, handles and computer equipment.
“We then recommend practical adjustments that suit the workplace and local circumstances, and these do not always require expensive equipment,” he said.
Ergonomics, he explained, involves designing work, tools and environments around human capabilities and limitations.
“Sometimes the solution is not to stop a worker from doing the job, but to change the way the task is performed, introduce better pacing or modify the tool being used,” said Mr Dube.
He said workers already experiencing conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome or tendinitis can benefit from interventions such as splinting and joint protection education, which help rest affected structures while retaining function.
For those recovering, graded activities and work conditioning can gradually rebuild strength, endurance and tolerance before full return to demanding duties.
“Workers can be taught safer ways of lifting, bending, gripping and reaching.
“These small changes can make a significant difference when applied consistently.
“This is particularly relevant where workers may feel unable to report discomfort for fear of being regarded as weak or unproductive,” he said.
Mr Dube said with early identification, appropriate adjustments and greater awareness among employers and workers, RSIs can largely be prevented or managed before becoming disabling, thereby protecting both individual workers and the productivity and resilience of Zimbabwe’s workforce.
