Tom Tamshen, CSP

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BACK INJURY PREVENTION

• Presented by
• Tom Tamshen, CSP
• Pinnacol Assurance

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Introduction

• Despite the advances, nearly 80 of the
  population will experience back pain at some time
  in their life.

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1996 Leading Causes of Lost Time Injuries

• 1. Overexertion
• 2. Struck by, against, caught
• 3. Fall
• 4. Chemical Exposure

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COLORADO Work Related Injuries
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Lost time injury by type

• Strained by
• Lifting
• Holding or Carrying
• Pushing or Pulling

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Back Injury Prevention

• Objectives
• Improve understanding of the anatomy, function
  and limitation of the spine back.
• Identify workplace risk factors.
• Discuss proper lifting techniques.
• Demonstrate stretching and conditioning
  techniques for strengthening back and abdominal
  muscles

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Back/Spine Anatomy

• Vertebra
• Ligaments
• Muscles
• Tendons
• Disc
• Nerves

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Get To Know Your Back

• The bones, or vertebrae, together make up the
  spine. The basic function of the spine is to
  provide support for the upper body, protection of
  the spinal cord and allow for movements such as
  bending and rotating.

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Get To Know Your Back

• The discs function as the shock absorbers of the
  spine.
• Nerves travel down from the brain and group
  together to form the spinal cord.

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Get To Know Your Back

• Tendons are bands of tough, fibrous tissue that
  connect muscles to bones.
• Ligaments are tough connective tissue that
  connect bones to bones
• Muscles provide support and movement for the
  spine. Stomach and back muscles work together to
  keep the spine in a balanced position.

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Mechanics Of The SpinePosture

• The spine works most efficiently when you
  maintain good posture.

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Mechanics Of The SpineThe Crane Effect

• There is no such thing as a light lift if you
  lift incorrectly.

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Back Injury Facts

• An OSHA study of back injuries found that
• Majority of movements at the time of injury were
  bending and twisting under load
• Average time an object was held at time of injury
  was less than one minute
• 30 of those injured lift more than 100 times a
  day

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Back Injury Facts

• An OSHA study of back injuries found that
• Average weight of object lifted was 40-100 in
  70, and 30 were over 100
• The distance traveled at the time of injury was
  less than 5 feet
• 50 of the cases the object was lifted from the
  floor
• 83 of the cases the back was fully or partially
  flexed or bent

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Facts About Back Disorders

• Back and neck problems are generally the result
  of repeated misuse rather than the result of one
  specific event.

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Facts About Back Disorders

• Your back is potentially at risk regardless of
  your occupation.
• Back problems are not just lifting problems.

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Back And Neck ProblemsDevelopment

• Work habits and personal lifestyle habits.
• Physical environment, condition, or trauma.
• Previous injuries
• Attitude/stress

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Maintaining A Healthy BackStanding

• Maintain the normal curves.
• Anti-fatigue mats and/or soft -soled shoes.
• Foot supports.

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Maintaining A Healthy BackStanding, Cont..

• Proper Stance.
• Keep your stomach muscles firm.
• Stretch periodically.

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Maintaining A Healthy BackSitting

• Maintain the normal curves.
• Place feet flat on the floor or footrest
• Materials location.
• Limited leg room.
• Sit/Stand workstation.
• Change positions.

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Maintaining A Healthy BackLifting

• Check the weight.
• Proper positioning.
• Assume a wide base.
• Keep the normal curves.
• Firm stomach muscles.
• Smooth, controlled movements.

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Picking Up Items From The Ground

• No single lifting technique will work in all
  situations. This means that problem solving or,
  in some cases, making the best of a difficult
  situation will be necessary.

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Miscellaneous Back Facts

• Smoking
• Nutrition
• Stress

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Conclusion

• You may go through your day with little or no
  regard to the demands you place on your back. In
  Fact, until it hurts you may think your back is
  virtually indestructible.

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Review

• Keep it close, keep the curves
• Stretch frequently throughout the day
• Maintain the normal curves in your spine
• Listen to your body

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Where to get more information

• Other training sessions
• List books, articles, electronic sources
• Consulting services, other sources