Back Injury Prevention and Safety Jana L Kray MSPT, CEES Iowa Health Des Moines In a 3month period about oneforth of the US adults experience back pain. It is one of our society s most common medical problems Back pain is the most common reason for seeing a doctor 1 In 4 people report return back pain within 3months Back pain is expensive!!! Individual expenditures for people with back and neck problems were $6,096 compared to $3, 516 in 2005 Ergonomics 1
Back pain becomes more common with age Back pain is more common among people who are not physically fit Diet Heredity Race Occupational risk factors Cigarette smoking US Dept of Health and Human Services Mechanical problems Is a problem with the way your spine moves or the way you feel when you move your spine in a certain way ie DDD, HNP Injuries ie sprains or fractures. Can be a result of osteoporosis Ergonomics 2
Scoliosis Spondylolisthesis Arthritis Ankylosing spondylitis Spinal stenosis Osteoporosis Pregnancy Kidney stones Infections Endometriosis Osteomyelitis Tumors YES!!! One of the best things you can do to prevent back pain is to exercise regularly and keep you back muscles strong. This will help to avoid injury and pain. Our muscles are tested by occupational risk factors during work hours Muscles may be weak and or inflexible and employees may use bad lifting techniques during the day putting muscles and joints at risk Ergonomics 3
Temperature Ventilation Static shocks Noise level Illumination level Ergonomics 4
Fatigue and Stress Overloading either mental or physical capacities increases risk of injury, accidents, and loss of productivity Lifting is one of the most common and dangerous tasks asked of anyone on the job site Ergonomics 5
Proper lifting will prevent injury and assist you with maintaining as efficient and productive lifestyle Ergonomics 6
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6. Construction 7. Health care workers Ergonomics 8
Bones Discs Ligaments muscles Ergonomics 9
Slipped Disc - is actually a tear in the disc and it s contents spilling out Severely pinch the disc between two vertebra and cause it to tear and/or rupture Simply wear out and cause it to deteriorate much more rapidly than normal Ergonomics 10
Your back is vulnerable to cumulative trauma. We think of a back injury as caused by a single event, like lifting a heavy load. However, more than likely, the injury results from the cumulative effect of bending, twisting or excessive sitting or standing. A single event may trigger the injury, but it may be merely the straw that broke the camels back. Ergonomics 11
Repetition Force Posture Load Distance Environment personal More than 4 hours in one position Positions that are awkward Positions that are at the last ½ of the motion Overly forceful exertions Adapted from Washington State Hazard checklist Ergonomics 12
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Keep both feet on the ground Never jump Ergonomics 14
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Uses same principles as lifting position/posture See most injuries with jerking motions during a pull How much does it weigh? Where do I have to go and what is the pathway? Do I have to move anything to make the pathway safer? How should I move this? Do I need assistance in moving this? Ergonomics 18
Bend your knees Test the weight Get a grip hug the load Align your spine Lift with your legs Avoid prolonged sitting, forward bending, lifting Change stressful positions frequently Stretching- extension exercises Ergonomics 19
What are you doing now to help protect your back? Stay active, find activities you enjoy Regular exercise including stretching Keep your weight in the normal range Use of heat or cold Diet Behavior modification Ergonomics 20
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