BACK INJURIES
Introduction
Preventing back injuries is a major workplace safety challenge. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), more than one million employees suffer back injuries each year, and back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses. Furthermore, one-fourth of all compensation indemnity claims involve back injuries. Back injuries cost the industry billions of dollars on top of the pain and suffering borne by employees.
The BLS survey shows that four out of five of injuries were to the lower back, and that three out of four occurred while the employee was lifting. The survey shows that the principle cause of compensable work injuries occurs when lifting, carrying, holding or lowering manual materials.
No approach has eliminated 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.
The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) is considering ways to help managers and employees reduce these injuries and are looking at both major categories of methods for preventing lifting injuries: administrative controls and engineering controls. Administrative controls include carefully selecting and/or training employees so they can safely perform lifting tasks. Engineering controls attempt to redesign a job so lifting becomes less hazardous.
Applicable Regulations
- Regulations specific to ergonomics exist on a state-by-state basis. In the interim, ergonomic issues fall under the OSHA General Duty Clause.
- NIOSH Lifting Guidelines
Summary of Requirements
Suggested administrative controls include:
- Training employees to utilize techniques that place minimum stress on the lower back.
- Replace existing chairs and other equipment with state of the art equipment.
- Physical conditioning or stretching programs to reduce the risk of muscle strain.
Suggested engineering controls include:
- A reduction in the size or weight of the object lifted. The parameters include maximum allowable weights for a given set of task requirements; the compactness of a package; the presence of handles, and the stability of the package being handled.
- Adjusting the height of a pallet or shelf. Lifting which occurs below knee height or above shoulder height is more strenuous than lifting between these lines. Obstructions which prevent an employee's body contact with the object being lifted also generally increase the risk of injury.
- Installation of mechanical aids such as pneumatic lifts, conveyors and/or automated materials handling equipment.
Training
Employees in jobs that have the potential to cause ergonomic stressors and their supervisors must receive ergonomic awareness and job specific training in:
- Recognition of workplace risk factors and methods of control;
- Identification of signs and symptoms and health effects of exposure to workplace risk factors;
- Importance of early reporting;
- Employer's medical management procedures;
- Reporting procedures and report distribution;
- Corrective actions to be implemented and role of each individual involved and how to participate in the process; and,
- How to procure ergonomic protection standard.
Inspections
Employees in jobs that have the potential to cause ergonomic stressors, and their supervisors must receive ergonomic awareness and job specific training in:
- Recognition of workplace risk factors and methods of control;
- Identification of signs and symptoms and health effects of exposure to workplace risk factors;
- Importance of early reporting;
- Employer's medical management procedures;
- Reporting procedures and report distribution;
- Corrective actions to be implemented and role of each individual involved and how to participate in the process; and,
- How to procure ergonomic protection standard.
Recordkeeping
- Identification of problem jobs:
Each manager with 10 or more employees establishes and maintains accurate records of the identification of "problem jobs." The records must include the following information and be maintained for at least 5 years.
- name and job classification of employees in each "problem job";
- copies of most recent, initial, and follow-up completed workplace risk factor check list for employees in "problem jobs", with date of completion; and
- any other conditions that might have affected the results of the identification of "problem jobs."
- Job improvement process: The manager establishes and maintains an accurate record of most recent job improvement process. These records must be kept for at least 5 years after job is controlled.
- Training: The manager maintains a current copy of training materials and program used, and the most recent methods and results of evaluations of the effectiveness of training for five years.
- Medical management:
- employee records must be maintained for at least the duration of an employees
- employment plus 5 years and must include:
- name of employee;
- Musculoskeletal disorder management plan prepared by the health care provide
Written Program
Written program will be required per proposed Ergonomic Standard.
Updated 11/21/06
