1. Back Safety in the Workplace

2. Back Safety & Lifting Training Objectives: Back Injury Statistics
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Back Injury Prevention
Principles of Safe Handling
Proper Lifting Techniques
Exercises
Summary

3. Back Safety & Lifting Back Injury Statistics
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than one million (1,000,000) workers suffer back injures each year.
Back injuries account one (1) of every five (5) workplace injuries or illness.
Eight of ten American will experience back pain/injury in their lifetime.
After the first injury, an individual is 5 times more likely to experience a second or more severe injury.
The average cost for a lost time injury is $10,450 (NSC-2000)
Fewer that 50% of lost time back injury sufferers return to work after 6 months. Less than 25% of those return after one year.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million (1,000,000) workers suffer back injures each year
Back injuries account for one (1) of every five (5) workplace injuries or illness.

4. Back Safety & Lifting 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. Back Safety & 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. Back Safety & Lifting
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. Back Safety & Lifting
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 Safety & Lifting 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 Safety & Lifting 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 Safety & Lifting Back Injury Prevention Cont.:
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 Safety & Lifting Back Injury Prevention cont.:
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. Back Safety & Lifting 4 3 2 1 Principles of Safe Handling Assess Plan
Prepare
Perform
Principles
of Safe
Handling

13. Back Safety & Lifting 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. Back Safety & Lifting 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. Back Safety & Lifting Plan Task Route Consider start and end points
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. Back Safety & Lifting 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. Back Safety & Lifting 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. Back Safety & Lifting Get close to the load Slowly Lift Proper Lifting
Techniques
Hug the
Load
Squat
Down
Grip the
Load

19. Back Safety & Lifting 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. Back Safety & Lifting 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. Back Safety & Lifting 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. Back Safety & Lifting 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. Back Safety & Lifting Slowly Lift Proper Lifting Techniques Cont.:
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. Back Safety & Lifting Torque = Load x Distance Box = 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. Back Safety & Lifting 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

26. Back Safety & Lifting 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.

27. Back Safety & Lifting 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.

28. Back Safety & Lifting 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

29. Back Safety & Lifting Summary Common Causes Of Back Injuries
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

30. Back Safety & Lifting Summary Cont.: Principles of Safe Handling
Assess
Plan
Prepare
Perform
Proper Lifting Techniques
Close
Squat
Grip
Hug
Slowly
Exercise-Should You?---of course!!!

31. Back Safety & Lifting
Any Questions, Comments!!!