1. Back Safety in the Workplace
By: Chaizong Lor, Safety Coordinator, FM

2. Back Safety & Lifting Training Objectives: Injury & Illness Statistics
Risk Factors - Occupational
Back Injury Prevention
Principles of Safe Handling
Lifting Plan
Biomechanics Lifting Power Zone
Back Strengthening Exercises
Summary

3. Injury & Illness Statistics
Bureau of Labor Statistics
UW-EC Custodian Maintenance
Sprains/Strains, Tears
Year
Cases
2003
303,750
2004
282,240
2005
270,890
2006
250,870
2007
235,960
2008
222,290
2009
195,150
FY 7/1/07 – 6/30/10
Cause by lifting, moving, reaching, repetitive motion, pushing/pulling, trip/fall, and struck by
No.
Department/Shops
Total Cost 45
Custodian
$72,612.71 7
Ground Keeper
$56,260.47 4
Repair Worker
$986.20 14
Maint. Specialist $ 70
Total Claims
Grand Total Cost:
$159,144.55

4. Risk Factors - Occupational
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Heavy Lifting
Twisting
Reaching & Lifting
Lifting: Lifting or carrying objects with awkward or odd shapes In addition, Reaching and lifting over your head, across a table, or out the back of a truck . . .
Twisting: Twisting at the waist while lifting or holding a heavy load This frequently happens when using a shovel.
Carrying:
Make sure you can see
Take small, stable steps
Do not twist your back
Carrying &
Lifting
Awkward Postures
Sitting or Standing
Slips, Trips & Falls

5. Risk Factors - Occupational
Heavy
Lifting
Job requires heavy lifting:
Use equipment when possible or ask for help.
Try to avoid repetitive lifting over a long period of time.
Twisting
Twisting at the waist while lifting or holding a heavy load.
Note: Heavy Lifting always involves the risk of an accident.
Heavy Lifting: Some individuals’ job task may require lifting heavy loads.
Twisting: This frequently happens when using a shovel.
Reaching & Lifting:
Handle heavy objects close to the body. Avoid a long reach to pick up an object.
Do not reach for an object unless you're sure you're strong enough to lift it
Reaching
& Lifting
Injury usually occurs when reaching over the head, across a table or out the back of a truck.

6. Risk Factors - Occupational
Carrying
& Lifting
Injury usually occurs when carrying or lifting objects with awkward or odd shapes.
Awkward
Positions
Inappropriate postures that can contribute to back pain are caused by poor workstation layout and/or equipment design.
Carrying & Lifting: Carrying & lifting loads is the major cause of work related lower back problems.
The muscular effort in lifting and carrying depends mostly on the: A. Weight of load. B. Distance of the center of gravity of the load from the body.
Carrying the objects close to the body, and avoid carrying them in one hand.
2. Slips,Trips & Falls: An example, A good example would be slipping on a wet floor or ice. Poor housekeeping is another good example: tools left on floors, spills and leaks, improperly maintained aisles and walkways.
It is very easy to injure your back, neck or legs while slipping, tripping or falling.
Slips, Trips
& Falls

7. Risk Factors - Occupational
Sitting or
Standing
Sitting or standing too long in one position. Sitting can be very hard on the lower back.
For every one to two hours sitting, stand up and take a stretch.
For every one to two hours standing, sit down or move around and stretch.
Note: The human spine as not designed to maintain a sitting position for long periods of time. Driving, working at your desk, spending time on a plane, sitting at the computer, and watching sports are all activities that can lead to back pain. The best way to avoid back strain is to get up every fifteen minutes or so and walk around. (If you are driving, pull over whenever convenient to stretch your legs.) If you sit for long periods at work, invest in a well-designed chair that supports your back and allows you to change positions easily. A cushion tucked behind your back while driving will help provide support and comfort.

8. Back Injury Prevention
Avoid lifting and bending whenever you can.
Place objects up off the floor.
That way you won’t have to reach down to pick them up again.
Raise / lower shelves.
The best zone for lifting is between your shoulders and your waist.
Put heavier objects on shelves at waist level, lighter objects on lower or higher shelves.

9. Back Injury Prevention
Reducing exposure to known risk factors
Repetition
Awkward Position
Force
Object weight
Load Distribution
Object friction
Duration
Note:
Repetition is doing the same motions over and over again places stress on the muscles and tendons.
Awkward Posture is the position of your body and affects muscle groups that are involved in physical activity.
Force is the amount of physical effort required to perform a task (such as heavy lifting) or to maintain control of equipment or tools.
Duration is the amount of time a person is continually exposed to a risk factor.

10. Back Injury Prevention
Avoid Hyper extension movements of the back.
Avoid Hyper flexion movements of the back.
Note: Uneven thickness of disc due to uneven pressure
Hyper Extension:
Hyper Extension cause the facet joints to scrape and rub. This can lead to arthritis, bone spurs or inflammation.
Hyper Flexion:
Hyper flexion movements cause the disk to bulge against the spinal cord and impinge on the spinal cord.

11. Back Injury Prevention
Maintain good posture
Lift objects holding them close to your body
Never “twist” when carrying, handling, or transferring a heavy object
Avoid “locking out” the knees
Use proper lifting techniques

12. 4 3 2 1
Assess
Plan
Prepare
Perform
Principles
of Safe
Handling

13. Principles of Safe Handling
Assess
Assess the task:
Posture
Pacing, rate of work, breaks
Requirements for team handling
Assess Your Own Capabilities:
Strength, height, etc.
Health problems
Gender, age, fitness

14. Principles of Safe Handling
Assess
Cont.:
Assess the Load:
Weight, shape, size
Handles, packaging
Stability
Contents: hot, cold, hazardous
Assess the environment:
Space constraints
Flooring condition, levels
Temperature, humidity, ventilation
Tidiness, general housekeeping

15. Principles of Safe Handling
Plan
Task
What is the most appropriate posture?
Is there mechanical aid available?
Is there anyone else to help?
Route
Consider start and end points
Can any obstructions be cleared

16. Principles of Safe Handling
Prepare
Prepare the load:
Can the load be split?
Can the load be made more stable?
Make sure contents are evenly distributed?
Move the load’s center of gravity close to yours
Cover sharp / abrasive edges
Prepare yourself and the area:
Check space constraints
Move obstacles
Check final destination
Check housekeeping
Get a good grip on the load
Use PPE where appropriate

17. Principles of Safe Handling
Perform
Apply principles of biomechanics to reduce the load on the spine
Keep a wide base of support.
Maintain the lumbar curve (low back) as much as possible.
Get a good grip.
Position feet in direction of travel.
Use smooth controlled movements.
Use friction to minimize force.
Try to avoid twisting and stooping.
Use team lifting where appropriate.

18. Lifting Plan Get close to the load Slowly Lift Proper Lifting
Techniques
Hug the
Load
Squat
Down
Grip the
Load

19. Lifting Plan Proper Lifting Techniques
Get close
to the load
Proper Lifting Techniques
Get as close to the load as possible with your feet wide apart about shoulder width, with one foot slightly in front of the other for balance.
Test the object’s weight before lifting it.
Ask for assistance from a co-worker when appropriate.
Have the object close to the body and put less force on the low back.
Avoid rapid, jerky movements.

20. Lifting Plan Proper Lifting Techniques Cont.:
Squat
Down
Proper Lifting Techniques Cont.:
Keep yourself in an upright position while squatting to pick up.
Squat by bending the knees and hips.
Keep the three Curves of the Back properly aligned:
Ears, Shoulders, and Hips are in a straight line.
When you use good posture, your back is aligned in three natural curves supported by strong, flexible muscles.
Three Curves of the Back: Neck, Middle back, and Lower back

21. Lifting Plan Proper Lifting Techniques Cont.:
Grip the
Load
Proper Lifting Techniques Cont.:
Tightening the stomach helps support the spine.
Do not hold your breath while tightening the muscles.
Get a firm grasp of the object before beginning the lift.
Use both hands.
Use whole hand, not just fingers.
Use gloves as needed to prevent “pinched” grips or to protect the hands during lift.

22. Lifting Plan Proper Lifting Techniques Cont.:
Hug the
Load
Proper Lifting Techniques Cont.:
Legs are the strongest muscles in the body – so use them.
Avoid back flexion.
Hold objects close to body.
Slide the object from the knee on the ground to mid-thigh.
Keep the head forward.
Hug the object to your stomach & chest.
Once standing, change directions by pointing your feet in the direction you want to go and turn your whole body. Avoid twisting at the waist while carrying the load.
Try to hold the object as close to your body as possible, as you gradually straighten your legs to a standing position.

23. Lifting Plan Proper Lifting Techniques Cont.: Slowly Lift
Lift with the legs to allow the body’s powerful leg muscles to do the work.
Flex the knees and hips, not the back.
Avoid bending & twisting at the waist.
Try to keep the back “straight” during the lift.
Do not look down at the object during lift.
Look up to help “straighten” the position of the back for a safer lift.
Never Bend, Lift, and Twist at the same time.
Lift with the legs to allow the body's powerful leg muscles to do the work.
Flex the knees and hips, not the back. Avoid bending at the waist. Try to keep the back "straight" during the lift. Do not look down at the object during the lift -- look up. Looking up helps "straighten" the position of the back for a safer lift.

24. Biomechanics Lifting Power Zone
Torque = Load x Distance
Box = 30 lbs.
30 lbs.
L5/S1 Disk
16 in.
85 lbs.
0 in.
30 lbs.
85 lbs.
12 in.
L5/S1 Disk
36 in.
Body wgt = 170 lbs.
(30 lbs. x 36 in.) + (85 lbs. x 12 in.) = 2,100 in-lbs.
(30 lbs. x 16 in.) + (85 lbs. x 0 in.) = 480 in-lbs.
(Box)
(Employee)
(Box)
(Employee)

25. Lifting in Dumpster
Awkward posture-overhead lift

26. Sweeping

27. Sweeping Bleachers
Look how far he has to extend his shoulder to reach this level.
What would make more sense?
Can he sweep on the same level he is walking?

28. Sweeping and Lifting Look at how his elbows are splayed out…
Remember to keep the load as close to body as possible.

29. Vacuum
Is this close to body?

30. Vacuum under Desk

31. Pushing/Pulling Cart
Twisting
Better to push than pull

32. Storage
Awkward posture in this overhead lift. Hopefully this box is not heavy.

33. Back Strengthening Exercises
Exercises that work your back, hips, thighs, and abdominal muscles can minimize back problems.
Stand behind chair, hands on chair. Lift one leg back and up, keeping the knee straight.
Warm up slowly and exercise regularly.
Leg Exercise: Return slowly. Raise other leg and return

34. Back Strengthening Exercises
Exercises Cont.:
Starting Position: Standing tall, feet shoulder width apart, chin tucked in
Place your palms on the small of your back, fingers pointing down.
Keep your head up as you lean back slowly as far as possible.
Hold for at least 10 seconds.
Return to starting position and relax.

35. Back Strengthening Exercises
Exercises Cont.:
Wall Squats
Stand with back leaning against wall
Walk feet 12 inches in front of body.
Keep abdominal muscles tight while slowly bending both knees 45 degrees.
Hold 5 seconds.
Slowly return to upright position.
Repeat at least 5 to 10 times.

36. Back Strengthening Exercises
Exercises Cont.:
Lie on the floor on back.
Keeping arms folded across chest, tilt pelvis to flatten back, chin tuck into chest.
Tighten abdominal muscles while raising head and shoulders from floor.
Hold at least seconds and release.
Repeat at least to 10 times.
Lie on the floor on back.
Keeping arms folded across chest, tilt pelvis to flatten back. Tuck chin into chest.
Tighten abdominal muscles while raising head and shoulders from floor
Hold 10 seconds and release
Repeat times. Gradually increase your repetitions.
Do once per day

37. Summary Common Causes Of Back Injuries Back Injury Prevention
Heavy Lifting
Twisting
Reaching & Lifting
Carrying & Lifting
Awkward Positions
Sitting or Standing
Slips, trips, and falls
Back Injury Prevention
Reduce exposures to known risk factors

38. Summary Principles of Safe Handling Proper Lifting Techniques Assess
Plan
Prepare
Perform
Proper Lifting Techniques
Close
Squat
Grip
Hug
Slowly

39. Any Questions, Comments!!