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| Actions to Prevent Back Injuries
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Back injuries represent the largest single contributor to injury cost and
insurance claims for most occupational environments. Relying solely on
administrative controls, such as training, has not proven totally successful.
Engineering techniques, however, are most effective when coupled with
administrative concepts. Listed below are some examples of management actions,
administrative controls and industrial engineering concepts that, when properly
applied, will help reduce the risk of back injuries.
Industrial work concepts to reduce back injuries
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Minimize body movements by reducing bending, twisting and reaching motions.
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Decrease the forces on the body by reducing the weight of the object and the
forces due to moments (load x distance) or the distance between the load and
the body.
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Decrease carrying forces by eliminating the need to carry or by converting to
push or pull actions.
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Minimize the push or pull force needed to move an object or reduce the distance
that has to be covered.
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Reduce the weight of the object or reduce the traveling distance the object is
carried.
Management actions
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Identify the jobs and tasks that result in back injuries.
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Modify or eliminate the task causing back injuries.
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Rotate personnel in and out of jobs that cause back injuries.
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Decrease the weight of objects being carried.
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Provide nonskid footwear to workers.
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Provide adequate lighting, work temperature, noise control and good
housekeeping.
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Provide carts, hand trucks, utility vehicles and wheelbarrows with large
wheels.
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Provide scissors lifts and spring lift tables.
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Mark containers with the amount of weight.
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Provide handles on bags, boxes and containers.
Workstation design actions
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Fit the workstation to the worker (ergonomics).
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Design workstations to accommodate the worker in both sitting and standing
positions.
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Locate tools, materials and controls close to the point of use.
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Provide gravity feed bins and containers to deliver materials close to the
point of use.
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Equip workstations with mats to cushion floors and provide a nonskid surface.
COPYRIGHT ©2002, ISO Services Properties, Inc.
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