WHAT IS YOUR COMPANY
DOING ABOUT IT? Talk to any risk manager in any company and ask them what their biggest problem is. They will all tell you BACK INJURIES. Follow up that question with, “What is your company currently doing about it?” and you will be surprised to hear the answer.
An article from OSHA published back in 2009 states that preventing back injuries is a major workplace safety challenge. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries account for one out of every five workplace injuries or illnesses. Further, one-fourth of all compensation indemnity claims involve back injuries, costing industry billions of dollars on top of the pain and suffering borne by employees. These numbers have continued to rise to date.
Moreover, the survey showed that most of these injuries (four out of five) were low back injuries, and three out of four of these injuries occurred while the employee was lifting. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, no approach has been found for totally eliminating back injuries caused by lifting, though it is felt that a substantial portion can be prevented by an effective control program and ergonomic design of work tasks.
SO, WHAT IS THE
SOLUTION? First take a good hard look at where your injuries are originating. Put a plan together and work on an ergonomic solution for that particular work station.
Ergonomics is the study of fitting the work/job to the individual. Ergonomics matches the design of tools, controls, and equipment to fit the safety needs of the operator. Since each of us has different needs, ergonomic design of tools, equipment and workplaces must be adjustable enough to accommodate a varied range of body types. Poorly designed work stations/practices lead to musculoskeletal disorders or (MSDs). MSDs are disorders of the muscles, nerves, tendons, ligaments, joints, cartilage and spinal discs. An example of an MSD is a herniated disk.
Then reconsider back supports for all who are at risk for low back injuries.
Back support usage has been on a steady decline in the workplace, and yet back injuries are on an out-of-control rise, literally putting companies out of business at an alarming rate.
A study from the Journal of the American Medical Association proves that back braces are ineffective. We found that the elastic large “home improvement stores” type braces were the ones used in this study. These larger elastic type supports can actually cause more damage than
improvement due to keeping the body static or still from the rib cage down to the hips. This does not allow any other core muscles to function, therefore causing atrophy, or weakness of all the muscles surrounding the lower back. We have also found that these larger type braces can cause a false sense of security as well, giving the employee the thought that he can lift more weight while he is wearing the brace.
The LifeBack Lower Lumbar Back Support is slim in its patented design. It provides the support needed in the lower lumbar area, but more importantly, it allows your core muscles to function. The LifeBack is also not as hot as the “home improvement stores” elastic type braces so your employees are apt to be more compliant regarding wearing the back support. A study was conducted by the OSHA Training Institute and administered by USF with 1,100 employees. This study revealed a 100% satisfaction of those who wore the slim, patented lower lumbar back support.
In closing, I believe a strong ergonomic program and the use of a good back support may not prevent all back injuries, but it certainly can cut down on the severity of those injuries and get your employees back to work quicker.
Get your
Improvement in workers with back pain when they wore the LifeBack Support
FDA registered, Medicare approved, USF/College of Public Health OSHA Training Institute Study
lifebackworks.com 2506 Success Drive, Trinity, FL 33556 727-376-2003
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