Back Injury Prevention
If you work with heavy loads or repeatedly twist to move materials from one location to another, you may be at a greater risk of back injury. Back injuries are suffered by more than one million workers every year, account for twenty percent of all workplace injuries, and cost companies billions of dollars. This course focuses on preventing back injuries at your workplace by raising awareness about the common causes of acute and cumulative back injuries, recognizing signs and symptoms, and implementing engineering and administrative controls to avoid such injuries.
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Learning Objectives
By the end of this course, you will be able to:
- Explain the importance of back injury prevention
- Describe the anatomy and mechanics of the back
- Identify common causes, signs, and symptoms of back injuries
- Recognize the most common risk factors for back injuries
- State prevention measures, including proper lifting techniques
Specs
| Course Level | Intermediate |
| Languages | English, Chinese, Spanish |
| Compatibility | Audio, Video |
| Based on: | Industry Standards and Best Practices |
Key Questions
Back injury prevention training is important because back injuries are a leading cause of workplace discomfort and disability. By undergoing back safety and injury prevention training, employees learn how to handle lifting and moving tasks safely, reducing their risk of injury.
What are some common causes of back injuries at work?Back injuries at work often result from improper lifting techniques, frequent bending or twisting, and poor ergonomics. Addressing these risk factors through effective back injury prevention training can help employees adopt safer practices and maintain better back health.
What do back injuries typically involve?Back injuries often involve strained muscles and ligaments, damaged discs between vertebrae, bones or discs pressing on nerves, unnatural spine curves, and weakened or fractured vertebrae.
What are considered risk factors for back injuries?Common risk factors include aging, alcohol and drug use, family history of back problems, weak core muscles, obesity, anxiety, depression, stress, smoking, and underlying spinal conditions.
What is an "acute" back injury?An acute back injury results from a single event, such as lifting a heavy object improperly or suddenly twisting your back.
What is a cumulative back injury?A cumulative back injury happens from repeated small traumas to the back that eventually lead to a more serious injury.
What are the signs and symptoms of back injuries and disorders?Symptoms include muscle aches, sudden stabbing pain, pain radiating down the legs, weakness or numbness in the legs, decreased range of motion, and difficulty standing or sitting up straight.
What are some ways to prevent back injuries at work?Prevention strategies include using engineering controls like lifting aids, administrative controls such as using additional personnel for lifting, proper lifting and handling techniques, and strengthening core muscles.
What are the different parts of the proper lifting technique?Plan your lift in advance; stand close to the object; plant both feet firmly and stop moving; bend knees and keep back straight; use both hands; lift slowly with legs until you’re standing straight; hold the load near your body and below line of vision; keep stomach muscles tight and back straight; walk slowly and take small steps; keep your eyes on where you’re going; to lower the load, keep back straight, stomach muscles tight, and slowly bend knees.
Sample Video Transcript
The best method for eliminating or reducing the risk of back injuries is the use of engineering controls. Examples of engineering controls include the use of lifting aids, or designing workstations to reduce the amount of strain on the body. For example, if there is a heavy load on the floor that needs to be moved, try splitting it up to reduce its size or weight, or use a cart or dolly to move it to the desired location. If a load is located at a higher level or needs to be moved to a location that is out of reach, use a mechanical lift, conveyor, or mobile equipment if possible. Designing work stations to reduce the amount of strain on the body can also help prevent back injuries. For example, if your job requires you to sit for long periods of time, select chairs or desks designed to reduce back strain or increase lumbar support. If your job requires standing for long periods of time, use foot rests or fatigue reducing floor mats.
Additional Resources
- U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) – www.osha.gov
- OSHA Safety and Health Topics – www.osha.gov/SLTC/ergonomics/index.html
- OSHA Technical Manual – www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_vii/otm_vii_1.html
- National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) – www.cdc.gov/niosh/
- NIOSH Workplace Safety & Health Topics – www.cdc.gov/niosh/topics/ergonomics/
- US Department of Energy Office of Science Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL) – www.bnl.gov
- BNL Lifting Safety – www.bnl.gov/esh/shsd/pdf/safe%20lifting%20and%20carrying%20techniques.pdf
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