Back Safety in the Workplace

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Back Safety & Lifting 4 3 2 1 Principles of Safe Handling Assess Plan Prepare Perform Principles of Safe Handling

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

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

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

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

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.

Back Safety & Lifting Get close to the load Slowly Lift Proper Lifting Techniques Hug the Load Squat Down Grip the Load

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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)

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

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.

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.

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 10 seconds and release. Repeat at least 5 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 10-15 times. Gradually increase your repetitions. Do once per day

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

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!!!

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