January 18, 2008
Did you know...?
Almost 90% of adults experience back pain at some point in their life.
Lifting boxes, pushing brooms, reaching for files, carrying supplies -- is it any wonder that so many people suffer from job-related low back pain? No matter what your occupation, back pain can make your life miserable at any time. But how big is the problem?
Back pain is the 5th most common reason for all visits to a physician's office. The direct costs (compensation) from back injuries exceed $20 billion per year. The indirect costs (lost work time, decreased productivity, etc.) exceed $50 billion per year.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) considers back injuries as one of the nation's biggest safety problems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), back injuries account for one in every five workplace injuries and illnesses. They are common in a variety of fields, from construction work to health care and child care. Many of these injuries can be prevented, however.
Preventing back injuries in the workplace is a major safety challenge. No approach has been found for totally eliminating back injuries caused by lifting; however, injuries can be reduced in numbers and severity with effective training, ergonomic design, proper lifting techniques, and worker fitness.
The most effective way to prevent back injury is to redesign the work environment and work tasks to reduce lifting hazards. Companies should implement a comprehensive ergonomic program to help eliminate musculoskeletal injuries at the workplace.
Ergonomics is the interaction between workers and the objects they use in their work environment. An effective ergonomics program must include four parts: (1) worksite analysis, (2) hazard prevention and control, (3) medical management, and (4) training and education.
Worksite analysis: The objectives of a worksite analysis are to recognize, identify, and correct all ergonomic hazards. This would include evaluating jobs that require frequent lifting, twisting, bent postures, or pushing or pulling.
Hazard Prevention and Control: Redesign workstations and tasks so that the load is close to the body; the load is between shoulder and knuckle height; twisting lifts are eliminated; gravity moves the load when possible; slides, conveyors, chutes, hoists, hydraulic lifts, and hand trucks are used to move heavy loads;
weight is reduced to the lowest level; there is sufficient workspace for proper lifting techniques; seated workers have adjustable swivel chairs with back support; and bending at the waist or back is minimal.
Medical Management: An effective medical management program for back injuries is an essential part of an ergonomics plan. Medical management will allow for early detection of injuries so that they can be treated before they become more serious. It will also prevent future problems from developing. The medical management program should address the following: Injury and illness record keeping; early recognition and reporting; systematic evaluation and referral; conservative treatment; conservative return to work; systematic monitoring; training in which employees are instructed how and when to report injuries.
Training and Education: Training and education are critical components of ergonomic programs for employees potentially exposed to ergonomic and lifting hazards. Training should include identifying lifting hazards and using safe lifting techniques, as well as other ergonomic risk factors. The training program should provide an overview of the potential risk of illnesses and injuries, their causes, early signs and symptoms, means of prevention, and treatment. The program should also include means for adequately evaluating its effectiveness. Written records should be kept of training materials, persons who preformed the training, dates of the training, and who attended the training.
No one 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.
To learn more about how OHS-COMPCARE's Rehabilitation Specialists can help your company develop (or improve) an ergonomic program or to learn more about other services OHS-COMPCARE has to offer, contact our Client Services Team at (816) 559-6306 or by e-mail at customerservice@ohscompcare.com. You can also visit us at www.ohscompcare.com.
*Please feel free to forward this information to any member of management in your company who would benefit from it.*
OHS-COMPCARE has eight (8) area clinical facilities:
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Blue Springs Clinical Facility |
Independence Clinical Facility |
Johnson County Clinical Facility |
St. Joseph Clinical Facility |
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801 NW St. Mary’s Drive |
19000 E. Eastland Center Crt, St. 200 |
10415 Lackman Road |
904 Edmond Street |
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Blue Springs, MO 64104 |
Independence, MO 64055 |
Lenexa, KS 66219 |
St. Joseph, MO 64501 |
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816-224-9121 |
816-478-9299 |
913-495-9905 |
816-233-7702 |
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After Hours Available |
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KCMO/Broadway Clinical Facility |
KCMO/Front Street Clinical Facility |
Wyandotte County Clinical Facility |
Grandview Clinical Facility |
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1650 Broadway |
6501 East Commerce, Suite 110 |
1333 Meadowlark Lane, Suite 200 |
13830 S Us Highway 71 |
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Kansas City, MO 64108 |
Kansas City, MO 64120 |
Kansas City, KS 66102 |
Grandview, MO 64030 |
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816-842-2020 |
816-483-5550 |
913-596-2774 |
816-761-4664 |