1. The Back and Material Handling Issues

2. The Spinal Column
Cervical
Thoracic
Lumbar

3. The Basic Structure

4. Epidemiology of Back Injuries
Short Term or acute effects:
Sharp Surfaces
Dropped Material
Struck-by Moving Materials
Mechanical Stress
Slips and Falls
“Simpler” Cause and effect relationship

5. Epidemiology Chronic or Long Term Effects Back Ache or Pain
Disc Degeneration
Cause and effect not as simple, more difficult to analyze

6. Return to Work Out more than 6 months only 50% chance of returning
One year only 25%
Management and Practitioner Training
One study showed that claims dropped from 200K to 20K per year by providing modified work and conservative treat

7. Material Handling Lifting/Lowering Pushing/Pulling Carrying
Weights and Forces
Frequency of Activities
Load Center of Gravity

8. Material Handling

9. Job Risk Factors Weight of the Object
Location (position of load w.r.t. worker)
Frequency of Lifts
Stability of the Load
Hand Coupling
Workplace Geometry Twisting/Stooping
Environmental Factors

10. Personal Risk Factors Gender Age Anthropometry Lift technique Attitude
Strength
Training

11. Examples of Manual Handling Controls
Avoid extreme range of motion when lifting
Redesign work station/work area to allow freedom of movement
Provide handles on material handling equipment
Provide lift-assist devices and tables
Unit Load Concept

12. Job Design Can reduce one-third of compensable LBP
Minimize reach and lift distances
Keep off floor
Work station design
Frequency
Relax time standard
Rotation
Work-Rest allowances

13. Job Design Minimize Weight Mechanical aids Carton capacity
Balance contents
Convert
Carry to push/pull
Push over pull
Use large wheels

14. Training Focus on awareness and avoidance
Get object as close to body as possible
Planning
Use of handling aids
Back Schools
Strength and fitness important

15. NIOSH Lifting Equation 1991 Version

16. NIOSH Lifting Equation
Objective: Reduce occurrence of lifting-related LBP
1981 and 1991 equations
1981 limited to sagittal plane
1991 includes asymmetry and coupling

17. Disqualifiers for Use One handed lifts More than 8 hours
Seated or kneeling
Restricted work space
Unstable Objects
Carrying, pushing or pulling while lifting
Wheelbarrows or shovels
High speed motion
Unreasonable foot/floor coupling
Unfavorable environment

18. Definition of Terms RWL = Recommended weight limit LC = Load constant
HM = Horizontal multiplier
VM = Vertical multiplier
DM = Distance multiplier
AM = Asymmetric multiplier
FM = Frequency multiplier
CM = Coupling multiplier

19. RWL = LC x HM x VM x DM x AM x FM x CM
1991 Equation
RWL = LC x HM x VM x DM x AM x FM x CM

20. 1991 Guide Compare RWL to Actual Load (L)
If Greater than or equal to 1 problem

21. Lifting Index L
RWL

22. 1991 Multipliers LC = 51 Pounds HM = 10/H VM = 1-.0075 x / V-30/
DM = (1.8/D)
AM = 1 – (.0032 x A)
FM go to Table
CM go to Table

23. NIOSH Worksheet

24. Lifting Example

25. NIOSH Workshop

26. NIOSH Workshop
Start of Lift
End of Lift

27. NIOSH 1991 Lifting Calculator

28. WISHA Calculator for Analyzing Lifting Operations

30. WISHA Workshop

31. WISHA If the job is a hazard Reduce weight of load
Increase weight of load so that it requires mechanical assist
Reduce the capacity of the container
Etc.

32. References
Applications guide for the revised NIOSH lifting equation – On CD
Elements of Ergonomic Programs – On CD
Musculoskeletal Disorders and Workplace Factors – On CD
Work Practices Guide for Manual Lifting
NIOSH
References continue on next slide

33. What does the worker need to know from this presentation?