Tips to Avoid Low Back Injuries in Workplace

For Immediate Release: August 10, 1998

Doctors' Labor Day CheckList Offers Tips to Avoid Low Back Injuries in Workplace

Chicago, August 10, 1998-Preventing low back injuries-the single most frequent injury requiring days off from work-is the focus of the 1998 Labor Day CheckList, issued today by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM). Created to make the workplace safer, the CheckList gives specific health and safety strategies for employers and employees.

Surveys indicate that 50 percent of U.S. working-age adults have low back symptoms annually, and 60 to 90 percent of adults experience an acute episode of low back pain at least once in their lifetimes. In 1996, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) cited a total of 490,608 back injuries that resulted in time away from work.

"We focused on low back disorders for this year's CheckList because they occur so frequently," says Jane F. Barlow, MD, of the Family Health Center in Del Rio, Texas, who spearheaded the third annual CheckList effort. "The good news is that many such injuries are preventable using simple and inexpensive measures. The CheckList features more than 40 preventive measures, covering workplace practices and equipment as well as lifestyle habits."

Who is most at risk? BLS 1996 data indicates men outnumber women almost two to one in sustaining back injuries requiring time off the job. Operators, fabricators, and laborers experienced close to 42 percent of injuries, followed by those in service professions, who had 20 percent.

Costs associated with compensable low back injuries are estimated at a whopping $50 billion to $100 billion a year, with only one-third of that amount representing medical expenses. The remaining two-thirds-including nonmedical costs for income replacement indemnity, service benefits, and medical legal expenses-can hit employers and employees hard. Nonmonetary costs, such as diminished ability to perform or enjoy usual activities, also exact a hefty toll.

ACOEM, an international medical society of 7,000 occupational medicine physicians, provides leadership to promote optimal health and safety of workers, workplaces, and environments by educating health professionals and the public; stimulating research; enhancing quality of practice; guiding public policy; and advancing the field of occupational and environmental medicine.

For an additional free copy of the 1998 Labor Day CheckList, send a stamped, self-addressed, business-sized envelope to Labor Day CheckList, ACOEM, 55 W. Seegers Rd., Arlington Heights, IL 60005-3919; visit the ACOEM web site, www.acoem.org; or use ACOEM's fax-on-demand service, 800/226-3626.

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Note to editors/reporters: The 1998 Labor Day CheckList follows on next page. An extensive Labor Day CheckList packet is also available. It includes a feature article citing doctors from across the U.S. who have expertise in back injury at the workplace, readable charts with back injury statistics compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and reliable resources.

Kay Coyne; E-mail [email protected]; fax, 847-228-1856; Tel: 847-228-6850, X152.

1998 Labor Day CheckList

How to Avoid Low Back Injuries in the Workplace

Take time this Labor Day to review your workplace for health and safety
risks. Use preventive measures in this handy checklist of the American
College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine to avoid low back
injuries.

Action Employers Employees
Areas

WORKPLACE    

Lifting or * Provide mechanical * Keep lifted objects close
heavy assistance devices, tables to body at waist level.
physical or pallets to allow Evenly balance loads with
work waist-height lifting. both arms.
* Encourage employees to get * Get help if the load is
assistance in moving too bulky/heavy to lift
bulky/heavy loads, or to alone, or split into
make loads smaller. smaller/lighter loads.
* Schedule regular rest * Take rest breaks to stand
breaks for employees doing up, change position, and
heavy physical work; stretch. Break tasks into
ensure breaks are taken. shorter segments.
* Teach good lifting and * Avoid twisting, bending,
material-handling and reaching while
techniques; regularly lifting. Rotate entire
review lifting techniques body instead.
to reinforce adherence to * If lifting or moving a
safe habits. load, bend with the knees,
not the back.

     

Awkward * Conduct ergonomics reviews * Monitor workstation/habits
postures of workstation design/ to incorporate
equipment to ensure that ergonomically correct ways
each employee is sitting to sit/stand/move.
and moving in the safest * Make sure work surface is
positions. at comfortable height.
* Create good workplace * Sit and walk with good
design to minimize posture, keeping head
unnecessary bending, high, chin tucked in, toes
twisting, or reaching. straight ahead.
* Encourage employees to * Alternate between standing
maintain good posture and and sitting tasks. During
use techniques/equipment long periods of standing,
that provide the best back rest one foot on a low
support. stool. When sitting, rest
both feet flat on floor.
* Use a chair with good back
support.

     

Whole-body * Use equipment that reduces * Keep machinery in good
or eliminates vibration. repair to eliminate extra
vibration * Require frequent breaks vibration from poor
from/rotate tasks alignment/function.
involving whole- body * When driving, move seat
vibration. forward to keep knees
* Teach and reinforce good level with hips. Sit
habits/safety techniques straight; keep both hands
to employee drivers. on wheel. Use a lumbar
support for lower back.

     

Environment * Provide a clean workplace * Ensure lighting in work
free of obstacles, spills, area causes no glare or
and elevation changes with excessive shadowing.
good lighting/traffic * Maintain firm footing and
patterns for materials wear comfortable,
movement. Install low-heeled, non- slip
non-skid, cushioned shoes.
floors. * Report and/or work to
* Regularly review eliminate any potential
accident/injury records to hazards in the workplace.
identify problem areas and * See a doctor if you have a
eliminate hazards. back injury or other
* Encourage early evaluation illness. Follow doctor's
and treatment of back treatment recommendations.
injuries and other * Learn/use relaxation
illnesses. techniques to manage
* Provide ongoing programs stress on and off the job.
to assist employees in
learning how to reduce
stress levels.

LIFESTYLE    

Fitness * Provide time/facilities * Exercise regularly to keep
for employee exercise; back/abdominal muscles
create incentive programs strong/flexible and build
that encourage employee activity tolerance.
fitness.

Diet * Offer healthy food options * Choose healthy
in on-site dining foods/maintain proper
facilities. weight.

  * Supply water * Drink plenty of water for
coolers/fountains in good hydration.
workplace.

Smoking * Sponsor smoking cessation * Avoid smoking, which
programs/discourage reduces blood/fluid flow
smoking in workplace. to spine.

Sleep * Use accepted guidelines * Get sufficient sleep
for safe shift work daily; go to sleep and
practices. awaken at same time every
* Educate workforce on day. Use a firm mattress.
importance of adequate * Sleep on side or back.
sleep for optimum
functioning and accident
prevention.

(c) 1998 American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. All
rights reserved.