October 2015
Back injuries continue to be one of the most prevalent workplace injuries. According to OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration), back disorders are one of the leading causes of disability for people in their working years, affecting over a million employees each year. Whether employees are working in construction industry, performing similar jobs with repetitive motion, or working at a computer all day, back injuries can target anyone. By understanding what causes back pain and injuries will help in finding new and better ways on preventing future injuries.
A few common workplace back injuries include lower back strains, herniated discs, pinched nerves and even spinal cord damage. Many factors can play a role in causing back injuries such as the age, sex, static standing or sitting tasks, incident type, occupation and the industry the employee is working in. According to the OSHA (2015), manual materials handling is the principal source of compensable injuries in the American work force, and four out of five of these types of injuries will affect the lower back.
Back pain and injuries may vary from one person to another and while eliminating back pain entirely may not be possible, there are many approaches to take to help stop work-related back pain. A few common factors that contribute to back pain are force, repetition, and posture. An example of force would be exerting too much force on your back by lifting and/or moving heavy objects. Repetition caused injuries such as repeating certain movements can lead to muscle fatigue and/or injury. Having poor posture, such as slouching, exaggerate your back’s natural curve which could also result in muscle fatigue and injury. Other factors contribute to back pain such as certain medical conditions and lifestyle factors also have an effect on how susceptible a person might be to back injury (2013).
Protecting yourself and other employees from injuries is an essential goal each employer has. By understanding the right guidelines and/or knowing where to find helpful tools is significant. According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (2012), having a healthy lifestyle is a good start to preventing back pain. Combine exercise, such as walking, with specific exercises to keep the muscles in your back and abdomen strong and flexible. Maintain a healthy weight; being overweight puts added pressure on your spine and lower back. Avoid smoking, because both the smoke and nicotine cause spines to age faster than normal. Maintaining proper posture will assist in avoiding lower back problems. How you sit, stand, and lift objects has an increasing effect on your spine health.
In certain situations, it may be feasible to eliminate the hazardous motion or change the position of the object in relation to the employee’s body, such as adjusting the desk chair or adjusting the height of the shelf (OSHA 2015). The next engineering control to take would be to minimize the weight, range of motion and the frequency of the activity being performed. Any tasks that may require objects to be pushed or pulled, pushing the materials is always recommended. By pushing materials, it will require less effort and become less strenuous on the body. When storing equipment and materials, it is important to store heavy objects at waist level to prevent any exerted force by picking up the material from a high or low area.
The next line of defense against back injury would be to incorporate administrative controls. Some of these controls consist of rotating employees, utilizing two-person lifts, and offering frequent breaks. Along with all other mentioned controls, training and education should be given to all employees who may be exposed to back injuries. Training should consist of proper lifting techniques, the recognition of hazards in the workplace and a general teaching of ergonomics in the workplace.
Back injuries and pain can be prevented in the workplace, and by understanding and following the important guidelines set forth, a healthy and pain-free life may be the result. Whether you are working inside of an office or helping build an office, it is important to understand the risks and the hazards associated with your occupation. The NIOSH (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting and Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling are great resources to help provide strategies to help improve lifting techniques and handling materials. With the expertise and quality performance Safety Resources, Inc. provides, your company is capable of becoming role models of excellence.
References:
California Department of Industrial Relations. (2007). Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2007-131/pdfs/2007- 131.pdf.
Calisi, A. P. (2015). How to Handle Back Injuries at Work. Retrieved from http://www.injuryclaimcoach.com/back-injuries-work.html.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration. (2015). Back Disorders and Injuries. Retrieved from https://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_vii/otm_vii_1.html.
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (2015). Back Injuries – Nation’s #1 Workplace Safety Problem. Fact Sheet No. OSHA 89-09. Retrieved from https://ehs.okstate.edu/training/oshaback.htm.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. (2012). Preventing Back Pain at Work and at Home. Retrieved from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00175.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (2013). Back Pain at Work: Preventing Pain and Injury. Retrieved from http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/back-pain/art- 20044526?reDate=14092015&pg=1
Related Topics: Back Injuries, Back Pain, Monthly Safety Topics, Safety Articles