-1-

Preventing Back Injury

u Back Injury Statistics

u Low Back Pain

u Repetitive Motion Injury

u Preventing Back Injury

u Manual Material Handling Guidelines

u Back Exercises

u Avoiding Slips

u Video Display Terminals — Common Complaints

ERG5000(11/02)

-2-

Back Injuries

u 2% of all employees have a compensable back injury each year

u 29 days lost per 100 workers per year

u 21% of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace

u 33% of workers compensation payments and medical cost each year

u Overexertion — most common cause

-3-

Low Back Pain

u 10 – 17% of adults have a back pain episode each year

u 2nd most common cause for physician visits

u 5th ranking reason for hospitalization

u 3rd ranking reason for surgical procedures (250,000 lumbar spine operationsper year)

u Most common cause for decrease in work capacity (25 – 44 years old)

-4-

What is Repetitive Motion Injury?

u Repetitive motion injury involves muscles and tissues connecting bones(tendons and ligaments).

The causes of Repetitive Motion Injuries:

Posture: Awkward posture for a long period of time.

Force: Excessive force overloading muscles and tendons.

Repetition: Use of the same muscles and joints over and over again whiledoing a repetitive task.

Manual MaterialHandling: Lifting, loading and carrying.

Workstation Design: Bending, over-reaching.

Equipmentand Tools: Vibration, grip force.

Environment: Heat, noise, lighting.

-5-

Fixed or Awkward Body Positions

u When maintained for long periods of time, fixed or awkward body positionscan cause discomfort and fatigue.

Awkward Body Position:

u Working with the torso bent forward, backward or twisted

u Fixed position of the neck and shoulders when performing controlled armmovements

u Reaching above shoulder height

Injuries that result from a single accident do not cause Repetitive Motion Injuries.

-6-

How Repetitive Motion Injury Affects the Body

u Bone and muscle joint injury

u Muscle injury

u Tendon injury

u Nerve injury

Back Injury Work-Related Causes:

u Poor workplace design

u Poor body posture

u Lifting and handling heavy loads

u Forceful exertion, bending, twisting

u Working in a stooped position

u Prolonged sitting in a fixed position

u Poor physical fitness

-7-

Work-Related Back Pain: Develops Gradually Over Time

Common Symptoms:

u Feeling of tight band across the lower back

u Pain while working in a bent position

u Difficulty in straightening the back when standing

u Pain and stiffness when getting up in the morning or when sitting orstanding for long periods

Load arm30″

Load = 20 lbs.100 lbs.

Fulcrum

Force ratio 20:F

Power arm5 cm = 2″

F × 2 = 20 × 30 + 100 × 16

F = 600 + 1,600 2

F = 2,200 2

F = 1,100 lbs.

-8-

Preventing Back Injury

Posture: Use good body posture by maintaining the body’s threenatural curves.

Lifting: Lift by holding the load close to the body.

Lifting Guidelines:

u Store heavy materials at waist height

u Do not bend over at the waist to try to lift the entire load all at once

u Do lift the load upright

u Put one knee against the load while in a squatting position

u Pull the load up the leg while in a squatting position

u Rest the load on the edge of the knee of the other leg while still in asquatting position

u Carry the load with your back in an upright position

u Stand upright

-9-

Lifting Guidelines (continued)

-10-

Reaching

u Do not overstretch yourself. Reach only as high as it is comfortable for you.

u Use a stool or ladder if you need it.

u When reaching down, support your body with one arm.

-11-

Standing Working Position

u Keep your knees slightly bent with the pelvis tilted forward

u Place one foot on a lower stool to balance body

-12-

Bending/Sitting

u Bending safely means kneeling down on one knee, not bending at the waist

u Bend your hips and knees — not your back

u When reaching forward, move your whole body, not just your arms

u Adjust the chair height so that thighs are in a horizontal position and the feetrest on the floor

u Maintain a straight posture

u Chair and desk are positioned to place work at elbow height

-13-

Manual Material Handling Guidelines

u Reduce the weight and size of the load by repacking.

u Assign more people to lift extra-heavy or awkward loads.

u Change the load’s size and shape to move the center of gravity closer to thelifter.

u Store the load at or above hip height, but below shoulder height.

u Use mechanical devices to move a load.

u Use the stronger parts of the body to carry the load.

u Load pallets so that the heavy loads are around the edges of the pallet, notin the center.

u Review the layout of the work area, looking for ways to reduce the distancea load is carried.

u Reduce the number of lifts by assigning more people to the lift, usingmechanical devices, or rearranging the work area or storage area.

u Reduce body twisting by keeping the loads in front of the body, allowingenough space for the whole body to turn. Turn by moving the feet and nottwisting any part of the body.

u Do not swing or throw heavy loads.

u Do not carry loads for long distances.

u Do not shift a heavy load at arm’s length.

-14-

Lifting Technique

u Take time to plan the lift and carry by checking your entire walkway,ensuring it provides solid footing. Check the shoes you are wearing — dothey give you good support, traction, and balance? Are the shoestrings tied?

u Remove any movable obstacles out of the pathway; know where theunmovable ones are located.

u Perform a prelift by hefting the object to check its weight and center ofgravity. Remember to keep the load’s center of gravity close to the lifter.

u Square up facing the load, and get as close as possible.

u With feet slightly apart, balance yourself.

u Bending at the knees, keeping your back as straight and upright as possible,squat down near the load.

u Firmly grip the object.

u Tighten the body’s abdominal muscles.

u Keeping your back straight, use the upper leg muscles to carry you to anupright position.

u Perform the lift smoothly.

-15-

Carrying and Lowering the Lift

u Hold the load close to the body, and carry the object with a firm grip

u Lowering the load, keep the back straight

u Tighten the body’s abdominal muscles

u Bend at the knees

u Store heavy objects approximately waist high

-16-

Lifting Alternatives

Using a Pushcart

u Pushing a load is easier than pulling the load on the back

u Stay close to the load while pushing it

u Use both hands to perform the push

u Do not lean over the load as you push

u Tighten the abdominal muscles

Pulling the Load as a Last Resort

u Squarely face the load, with at least 12 inches between you and the front ofthe load

u Keep the back straight

u Bend the knees slightly

u Pull with a smooth motion

-17-

Lifting Alternatives (continued)

Use the following motions for moving heavy or bulky materials such as:

u salt bags

u patio stones

u sidewalk slabs

u cement blocks

â Pull material toward you.

â Transfer your weight to the lift side.

â Lift only to the level required.

â Shift weight to your other leg.

â Push material into position.

-18-

Shoveling

u Maintain a solid balance and grip

u As the lift is performed, tighten the abdomen muscles

u Keep the shovel close to the body

u Bend your knees — not the back

u Use the strength of your upper leg muscles to reposition you upright

u Keep the bottom hand low and toward the shovel blade. Using this position,the load that is picked up by the shovel will be carried by the shoulders andarms, and not the back.

À

Á

ÂÃ

-19-

Back Exercises

When performing any exercise follow these basic steps:

u Continue to breathe normally

u Stretch only to a comfortable point

u Stop if pain occurs

Stretches

Deep Squat:

u Stand with your knees bent, feet shoulder width apart, and heels flat on thefloor

u Squat as low as your muscles permit; feel the hip stretch

u Hold this position for five seconds and repeat the process three times

Backbend:

u Sit or stand and place your palms on your lower back

u Lean the upper body back without overarching your neck; this stretchshould be felt from the shoulders to the hips

u Hold this position for five seconds and repeat three times

-20-

Back Exercises (continued)

Sidebends:

u Sit or stand with your hands clasped overhead

u Stretch as far as you comfortably can to one side; this stretch should be feltfrom the shoulders to the waist

u Hold this position for five seconds and repeat three times

Back Release:

u Sit with your feet approximately shoulder width apart

u Curl down slowly relaxing your neck; this stretch should be felt from theshoulders to the hips

u Hold this position for five seconds and repeat three times

-21-

Back Exercises (continued)

Strengthen

u Stand with your hands at your side and knees slightly bent

u Lean forward while pushing arms and buttocks backward

u Lift head and shoulders, which tightens the muscles in your back; thisshould be felt from the back to the legs

u Hold this position for 10 seconds and repeat three times

Slide on the Wall:

u Stand with your back against the wall and position the heels in front of theknees

u Slide down the wall into a half-sit. Hold this position for 10 seconds, thenslide up the wall. This should be felt in the legs. Repeat three times.

-22-

Avoid Slips — Spend the Time and Energy Nowto Correct Hazardous Walking Conditions

u Mark the edge of obstructed steps or surface variations with caution yellow.

u Before buying a rug (large or small) that will not be tacked down, be sure ithas a rubber backing.

u Avoid the use of floor cleaning and polishing materials that leave a slipperysurface.

u Review the work site for loose flooring such as tiles, bricks or floorboards.Report problems immediately, and mark off the area to stop traffic flow onloose flooring.

u Wipe up all wet spots on the walking surface; do not wait for it to dry on itsown.

u During the winter months spread sand on icy walkways. Caution peopleabout the potential of falling ice on walk areas near overhangs.

u As the ice melts, remove it from the walking surfaces. Do not permit it torefreeze.

u Wipe up oil and grease spills; do not permit them to accumulate on the flooror surfaces of the work area.

-23-

Video Display Terminals (VDT):Common Musculoskeletal Complaints

u VDT users complain more frequently than nonusers about pain in the:

â Back

â Arm

â Leg

â Neck

â Shoulder

â Wrist

u As a posture becomes more constrained or awkward, the number ofcomplaints increase

-24-

Video Display Terminals (VDT):Possible Causes of Complaints

u Glare

u Screen set at wrong height (typically too low)

u Keyboard set at wrong height (typically too high)

u Keyboard and/or screen not directly in front of user

u Chair improperly designed and/or adjusted — teach people how to maketheir own adjustments

-25-

Notes

Filename: ERG5000.docDirectory: D:Template: C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\Normal.dotTitle: Multi-State AccountSubject:Author: Nancy MuzzallKeywords:Comments:Creation Date: 08/05/03 11:28 AMChange Number: 2Last Saved On: 08/05/03 11:28 AMLast Saved By: Michael ReibsomeTotal Editing Time: 1 MinuteLast Printed On: 08/05/03 11:28 AMAs of Last Complete Printing

Number of Pages: 25Number of Words: 1,515 (approx.)Number of Characters: 8,637 (approx.)