According
to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million workers suffer back injuries each
year, and back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses.
Further, one-fourth of all compensation indemnity claims involve back injuries, costing
employers billions of dollars. These figures do not begin to reflect the pain and
suffering employees experience as a result of their injuries.
Back injuries are exceedingly painful. They are difficult to heal, and they have an effect
upon everything a person does. If you have ever experienced a back injury, you already
know this. What you may not know is that after you have experienced one back injury, you
are much more likely to experience another one sometime during your lifetime. It is
important to learn techniques and procedures that may help you prevent a reoccurrence.
If,
on the other hand, you are lucky enough to have never injured your back, you can do
yourself a big favor by learning how to prevent one in the future. By learning proper
lifting techniques and the basics of back safety, you may be able to save yourself a lot
of pain.... and a lifetime of back problems.
Check out OSU EHS's online Back Safety
Information Library for additional
information.
Download this
training module as a PowerPoint presentation
Why
do Back Injuries Occur?
Common Causes of Back Injuries
Preventing Back Injuries
Exercises for the Back
Quiz
