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Protect those aching backs

Lab Safety Advisor, August 25, 2008

If you catch yourself saying, “Oh, my aching back” during the year, you are in good company. Surveys by the American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM) show 50% of working-age adults will experience low back pain symptoms annually. In North America, 60–90% of adults will experience an acute episode of low back pain at least once in their lifetimes. The price tag for these injuries can reach over $100 billion. (Yes, that is with a “b.”) Helping employees avoid the trauma and expense of low back injuries is the purpose of the ACOEM Labor Day Checklist. Here is the Safety Lady® version of that checklist:
  • Keep lifted objects close to the body at waist level and evenly balance the load with both arms
  • If a load is too heavy, split it into smaller and lighter loads
  • Break tasks into shorter segments
  • Avoid twisting, bending, and reaching while lifting—rotate the entire body instead
  • When lifting or moving a load, bend with the knees, not the back.
  • Incorporate ergonomically correct ways to sit, stand, and move
  • Alternate between standing and sitting tasks
  • When sitting, rest both feet flat on the floor
  • Use a chair with good back support
  • Use a lumbar support for lower back
  • Wear comfortable, low-heeled, non-slip shoes that cover the entire foot
  • Use relaxation techniques to manage stress on and off the job
  • Regularly exercise back and abdominal muscles
  • Drink plenty of water for good hydration
  • Avoid smoking, which reduces blood/fluid flow to the spine
  • Get sufficient sleep daily and use a firm mattress

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