Back Health Program – WORKPLACE INJURY PREVENTION

Posted on March 21, 2014 by SusanAS

Gary Smith for AAM BlogWRITTEN BY GARY SMITH, APARTMENT BUILDING MANAGEMENT WORKERS COMPENSATION SELF INSURED FUND

How do back injuries affect our workplaces? What are common types of back injuries? What can be done to prevent them? Is there a “secret ingredient” that will result in greater success with back injury prevention?

First, some interesting facts on back injuries:

  • Back pain affects 8 out of 10 people at some point during their lives.1
  • Back pain is one of the most common health complaints. When asked about common types of pain, respondents of a National Institute of Health Statistics’ survey indicated that low-back pain was the most common (28.4 percent), followed by severe headache or migraine pain (16.6 percent) and neck pain (15.1 percent).2
  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2011, there were 225,980 work-related cases involving injuries to the back. This represents 19.1 percent of reported workplace injuries.3

Second, consider these facts about common back injuries provided by The Cleveland Clinic, which is currently regarded as one of the top 4 hospitals in the United States4:

The back is a complex structure of bone and muscle, supported by cartilage, tendons, and ligaments, and fed by a network of blood vessels and nerves.

Strain vs sprain:
A strain is a twisted, pulled, or torn muscle/tendon.
A sprain is the stretching or tearing of a ligament.

Symptoms:
> Pain that worsens with movement
> Muscle cramping or spasms.
> Decreased function and/or range of motion of the joint, which is manifested by difficulty walking, bending forward or sideways, or standing straight.
> In some cases, the person may feel a pop or tear at the time of the injury.

Causes of back injury:
> Twisting or pulling a muscle or tendon (i.e., strain).
> A single instance of improper lifting or by overstressing the back muscles.
> A chronic strain usually results from overuse involving prolonged, repetitive movement of the muscles and tendons.
> A sprain often results from a fall or sudden twist, or a blow to the body that forces a joint out of its normal position.

In addition, there are several factors that put a person at greater risk for a back strain or sprain, including excessively curving the lower back, being overweight, having weak back or abdominal muscles, and/or tight hamstrings. Playing sports that involve pushing and pulling—such as weightlifting and football—also increases the risk of a low-back injury.

Third, while it is not possible to prevent all back injuries, steps can be taken to prevent future back pain.

  • To prevent back pain, learn to lift and bend properly. Follow these tips:
  • If an object is too heavy or awkward, get help (i.e., team lift)
  • Spread feet apart, stand as close as possible to the object, bend at knees, tighten stomach muscles and lift using leg muscles.
  • Hold the object as close to body as possible.
  • Do not twist while bending to reach for the object, lifting it up, or carrying it.
  • Other measures to prevent back pain include:
  • Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet to keep bones and muscles strong.
  • Do exercises to strengthen abdominal muscles.
  • Quit smoking.
  • Lose weight.
  • Do not wear high heels. Wear shoes that have cushioned soles when walking.
  • Place a small pillow or rolled towel behind lower back while sitting or driving for long periods.
  • Do not lift heavy objects just after a long ride.

Lastly, regarding that “secret ingredient” that will result in greater success with back injury prevention… it’s simple. Really? Involve workers’ families in workplace education and training efforts. The more the family is engaged, the more effective the program. For example, host a “family safety day” and send (i.e., mail) “fun materials” home to get kids involved.

For additional assistance with preventing back injuries in your workplace, please contact Gary Smith, CRM, at (517) 338-3367 or Gary.Smith@cmi-yorkrsg.com.

References:

Medline Plus. Back Pain. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/backpain.html.

National Center for Health Statistics. Health, United States, 2012: With Special Feature on Emergency Care. Hyattsville, MD. 2013.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2011 Nonfatal Occupational Injuries and Illnesses: Cases with days away from work.

Leonard, Kimberly. “Best Hospitals 2013–14: Overview and Honor Roll”. US News & World Report.

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