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How to Reduce Back Injury in the Workplace

Statistics from the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) identify back injuries in the workplace as the second most prevalent cause of lost work days. Back injuries caused in the workplace also add to the cost of insurance for both the employer and the employee. When the pain endured by the employee is added to the mix, it becomes imperative to find ways to reduce back injury in the workplace.

Things You'll Need

  • Equipment to assist with lifting and moving items
  • Safety education courses
  • Back belt
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Instructions

  1. Find Ways to Reduce Back Injury in the Workplace

    • 1

      Use proper lifting strategies. Lift with your legs and not your back.

    • 2

      Find equipment that is appropriate to the job. Use dollies and incline boards to move heavy items. Request proper equipment if it is not readily available.

    • 3

      Wait for help. Don't attempt to do a job by yourself that requires two people. At the time, moving that big box by yourself may seem expedient, but quite often it results in time lost on the job due to a back injury.

    • 4

      Educate employees about back safety procedures and require that they be followed. Establish an ongoing process of requiring all new employees to undergo safety education. You can also provide refresher courses for long-term employees.

    • 5

      Appoint captains on the workplace floor to make sure that back safety practices are enforced.

    • 6

      Survey the workplace for back safety hazards. Bring heavy boxes down to floor level. Make sure surfaces are level. Try not to have shelves out of arm's reach.

    • 7

      Make sure you're staffed properly when shipments are expected or when moves are scheduled. Planning can reduce many workplace back injuries.

    • 8

      Instill a sense of personal safety responsibility in all employees. Make employees aware of the ways in which days lost to back injuries hurt them as individuals and the company as a whole.

    • 9

      Be a role model for proper back safety procedures. Exhibit good lifting technique and wear your back belt and other safety equipment when on the work floor.

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