1. Back Safety
& Lifting

2. Test your Spine Q True or False
Very few people are affected by back pain
Back injuries cost employers an estimated $10 billion a year
The back is a complex system of bones, discs, muscles and nerves
The spine is a straight column of rigid bones
The safest way to lift an object is to stand close to it, bending your knees and letting your legs do the work.
Regular exercise will keep your back limber and help prevent injury

3. Test your Spine Q True or False
A lumbar support or rolled-up towel placed in the small of your back while sitting will relieve stress on your spine
Your lower back is subject to greater mechanical stress than any other part of your body
If you're under 50, there is no need to worry about osteoporosis
Once you've injured your back you can never fully recover
True
False

4. Why have Training?? Second most common injury in the state
Second (only to the common cold) most frequent visit to the doctors office
Statistically, 8 out of 10 will suffer some sort of back pain throughout their life
One of the leading causes of disability and time lost from work
Direct costs estimated at $24 billion, indirect costs reaching $35 billion with a total of nearly $60 billion to the employer
Last bullet - Total costs are anywhere from $40-$60 billion a year depending on the data read.

5. State Statistics Back claims only...
3246 claims at a cost of about $12.5 million over the last four years so far.
Claims have not fully developed yet and will surely increase.
We should be concerned with the frequency.
Frequency drop some between 1997 and 1998, but jumped to 1054 in 1999.
Current track for 2000 is less than all the other years shown.
FYI - The average cost per claim in 1997 and 1998 combined was $5280.

6. National Statistics
Percentage of claims compared Nationally in 1998 was 10% - all the other sectors were higher except for one, the mining industry.
This is just a percentage of all claims - not a number comparison. However, it does show many of the other industries or exposures have a higher percentage of back injuries than us.
Source: National Safety Council Injury Facts, Edition

7. 5 Large Lumbar Vertebrae
Anatomy of the Back
7 Cervical Vertebrae
12 Thoracic Vertebrae
5 Large Lumbar Vertebrae
Sacrum
Coccyx or Tailbone
The back has a natural “S” shape
There are 7 cervical vertebrae making up the neck portion of the back.
The next 12 vertebrae are known as the thoracic vertebrae. They are placed from the base of your neck to the upper portion of your lower back.
The next 5 vertebra are called the lumbar vertebrae. They are the largest vertebrae in the back due to the fact they support the largest amount of weight - the entire upper body.
Rounding out the back is the sacrum and coccyx or tail bone. These joints are considered immovable and do not contain a disc.

8. Lumbar Spine with Disc Details
Spinal Cord
Disc
Vertebra
Spinal Nerves
The back (or Spinal Column) is composed of 24 moveable bones called vertebrae.
The disc is a cushion-like pad that absorbs shock. These vertebrae and discs are supported by ligaments and muscles that keep the back properly aligned in three balanced curves.
The facet joints are small hinge joints below and above each vertebra. Facet joints link the vertebrae and allow them to move.
The foramen is an opening in the bone that allows the nerves to travel through and be protected by the bony structure.
And the nerves are pathways that allow electrical currents to travel to and from the brain.

9. Top View of Healthy Disc
NO, this is not what you think it is. This is a superior, or top, normal view of the vertebrae.

10. Normal Spine Position
Normal healthy spine position.

11. Deep Muscles of the Back
Erector Spinae
Posterior Serratus Muscles
The object of these next two slides is to show the complex muscle structure of the back only. [Discuss the many different angles at which the muscles attach to move our backs from one direction to another. Also, discuss the relative size of our small back muscles to that of our leg and gluteus muscles when it comes to lifting and how important it is to maintain proper technique when lifting. ]

12. Deep Muscles of the Back
Serratus Anterior
and Transversus
External Oblique

13. The Force is Against You*
07/16/96
The Force is
Against You *
2##

14. *
The Forces Involved
The amount of force you place on your back in lifting may surprise you!
Think of your back as a lever.
With the fulcrum
in the center, it only
takes ten pounds of
pressure to lift a ten
pound object.
Discuss seesaw analogy. *
3##

15. *
The Forces Involved
If you shift the fulcrum to one side, it takes much more force to lift the same object. Your waist acts like the fulcrum in a lever system, on a 10:1 ratio.
Lifting a
ten pound
object puts
100 pounds
of pressure
on your
lower back. *
4##

16. The Forces Involved When you add in the 105 pounds of the*
The Forces Involved
When you add in the
105 pounds of the
average human upper
torso, you see that
lifting a ten pound
object actually puts
1,150 pounds of
pressure on the
lower back. *
5##

17. The Forces Involved If you were 25 pounds overweight, it would add*
The Forces Involved
If you were 25 pounds
overweight, it would add
an additional 250 pounds
of pressure on your back
every time you bend over.
Discuss shifting the fulcrum point by bending the knees. *
6##

18. Does SANTA have back pain??

19. Types of
Back Injuries

20. Back Strain
Definition: Strains are tears or stretches in the muscle fibers or the tendons that connect muscles to bones. Strains can range from relatively mild injuries, with some muscle fibers being torn, to large muscle tears with swelling and bleeding present.
Symptoms/Signs:
Pain, swelling, and tenderness in a muscle group or joint

21. Back Sprain
Definition: A sprain occurs when a ligament -- the tissue that connects bones together -- is stretched or torn.
Symptoms
joint pain or muscle pain
swelling
discoloration of the skin, especially bruising
impaired joint function

22. Bulging Disc
A bulging disc appears to have moved or slipped out of place. Discs cant really move, but swelling or years of poor posture can leave them protruding from between the vertebrae. The vertebrae squeeze the bulging disc and cause pain

23. Herniated Disc
A herniated disc is a rupture of the jelly-like substance from inside one of the fibrous discs that provide cushioning between the vertebrae of the spine. Herniation results in pressure on nearby nerves which can result in a variety of symptoms, depending on the location of the affected disc.

24. Break Time
15 minutes

25. Causes of
Back Injuries

26. Common Causes of Back Injuries*
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Anytime you find yourself doing one of these things, you should think:
DANGER! My back is at risk!
Try to avoid heavy lifting
. . Especially repetitive
lifting over a long period
of time
Be creative when it comes to repetitive lifting. [Use the chair lifting analogy learned by the ergonomist.] *
7##

27. Common Causes of Back Injuries*
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Twisting at the
waist while
lifting or
holding a heavy
load this
frequently happens
when using a shovel.
Always pick up your feet and turn rather than twist. *
8##

28. Common Causes of Back Injuries*
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Reaching and lifting . . .
over your head, across
a table, or out the back
of a truck *
9##

29. Common Causes of Back Injuries*
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Lifting or carrying
objects with awkward
or odd shapes *
10##

30. Common Causes of Back Injuries*
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Working in awkward,
uncomfortable positions . . . *
11##

31. Common Causes of Back Injuries*
07/16/96
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Sitting or standing
too long in one
position. . . sitting
can be very hard
on the lower back *
12##

32. Common Causes of Back Injuries
Improper Sitting
If you stand or sit with your head forward, your upper back rounded and your chest collapsed, your posture is less than optimal and can result in muscle strain throughout your body
While standing or sitting, you should practice proper posture. Keep your head erect, your shoulders back but relaxed and your stomach in.

33. Common Causes of Back Injuries*
07/16/96
Common Causes of Back Injuries
It is also possible
to injure your
back slipping on
a wet floor or ice . . . *
13##

34. Prevention

35. Prevent Back Injuries Avoid lifting and bending whenever you can*
Prevent Back Injuries
07/16/96
Avoid lifting and bending whenever you can
Place objects up off the floor
Raise/lower shelves
Use carts and dolleys
Use cranes, hoists, lift tables, and other lift-assist devices whenever you can
Test the weight of an object before lifting by picking up a corner
Get help if its too heavy for you to lift it alone
2nd point - Heavy objects should be between mid thigh and mid chest to avoid excessive stooping and reaching. Lighter objects should be stored on the floor or above mid chest. *
14##

36. *
Prevent Back Injuries
07/16/96
Use proper lift procedures Follow these steps when lifting . . .
Take a balanced stance, feet shoulder-width apart
Squat down to lift, get as close as you can
Get a secure grip, hug the load
Lift gradually using your legs, keep load close to you, keep back and neck straight
Once standing, change directions by pointing your feet and turn your whole body. Avoid twisting at your waist
To put load down, use these guidelines in reverse *
15##

38. Help your
Back

39. *
07/16/96
Things You Can Do
Minimize problems with your back by doing stretches and exercises that tone the muscles in your back, hips and thighs
Note: Before beginning any exercise program, you should check with your doctor *
18##

40. Stretch and Exercise! Exercise regularly, every other day.
Warm up slowly A brisk walk is a good way to warm up
Stretching loosens the muscles and prepares them for the workout
Inhale deeply before each repetition of an exercise and exhale when performing each repetition.

41. Stretches To Help Your Back Double knee-to-chest stretch*
Stretches To Help Your Back Double knee-to-chest stretch
07/16/96
Keep the back relaxed
Hold for 45 to 60 seconds.
Release. Repeat 2 times.
Do once per day
Lie down on back.
Pull both knees in to chest until you feel a comfortable stretch in lower back. *
19##

42. Stretches To Help Your Back*
Stretches To Help Your Back
07/16/96
Trunk flexion stretch
On hands and knees, tuck in chin and arch back
Slowly sit back on heels, letting shoulders drop toward the floor
Keep the back relaxed
Hold for seconds
Release. Repeat 2 times
Do once per day *
22##

43. Stretches to Help Your Back Mid-back rotation stretch*
Stretches to Help Your Back Mid-back rotation stretch
07/16/96
Lie on stomach. Lift body so that only hands and feet touch the floor
Reach to each side as far as possible, keeping chest as low to floor as possible
Hold for seconds and release
Do once per day *
26##

44. Stretches to Help Your Back Lower trunk rotation stretch*
07/16/96
Stretches to Help Your Back Lower trunk rotation stretch
Lie on back
Keeping back flat and feet together, rotate knees to one side
Hold for seconds
Release. Repeat 2 times
Do once per day *
25##

45. Exercises To Help Your Back Alternate arm-leg extension exercise*
Exercises To Help Your Back Alternate arm-leg extension exercise
07/16/96
Face floor on hands and knees
Raise left arm and right leg. Do not arch neck
Hold for 10 seconds and release
Raise right arm and left leg. Do not arch neck
Hold for 10 seconds and release. Repeat times on each side
Do once per day *
20##

46. Exercises To Help Your Back Pelvic tilt exercise*
Exercises To Help Your Back Pelvic tilt exercise
07/16/96
Lie on back with knees bent, feet flat on floor and arms at sides.
Flatten small of back against floor. (hips will tilt upward.)
Hold for seconds and release. Gradually increase your holding time to 60 seconds
Repeat 2 times
Do once daily *
21##

47. Exercises To Help Your Back Curl-up exercise*
07/16/96
Exercises To Help Your Back Curl-up exercise
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 *
23##

48. Exercises To Help Your Back Diagonal curl-up*
Exercises To Help Your Back Diagonal curl-up
07/16/96
Lie on back on floor with arms folded across chest and knees bent.
Keeping arms folded, tilt pelvis to flatten back and tuck chin into chest.
Lift head and shoulders from floor while rotating to one side.
Hold to 10 seconds and release
Repeat times. Gradually increase your repetitions
Do once per day *
24##

49. Take care of your back And it will take care of you Exercise daily*
07/16/96
Take care of your back
And it will take care of you
Exercise daily
Avoid Heavy Lifting
Get Help with heavy or bulky objects
If you must bend over, do it properly
Avoid twisting at the waist when carrying objects
Always watch where you're going *
28##

50. What About
Back Belts?

51. NIOSH Study A Lack of Scientific Support
After a review of the scientific literature, the results cannot be used to either support or refute the effectiveness of back belts in injury reduction.
There is insufficient scientific evidence to show they actually deliver what is promised.
The Institute does not recommend the use of back belts to prevent injuries among workers who have never been injured.*
May act as a reminder
Employees have a tendency to try and lift more or think they can lift more when fitted with a back belt because it does feel good and supported with on. However, it can also act as a crutch or cast and actually cause more damage in the long run.
Proper education and lifting techniques are the KEY. [Discuss the power lifter analogy]

52. A Special
Consideration

53. Pregnancy
Muscles and ligament are already being stressed beyond normal levels
Spine joints become less stable due to hormonal changes in the body
The curve in the lower back increases. The back muscles must work harder to help maintain balance
[Remind audience of difference of pressure on the lower back for non-pregnant vs. pregnant women - 65 pounds vs. 150 pounds.]

54. In a Nutshell Employees need:
An Atmosphere that Promotes a Safe Workplace
Education
Training on Proper Technique
Proper Tools for the Job

55. Websites Used For This Program
getpage.asp? 1.html
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