| Back injuries rank among the top work-related | | | | measures. |
| injuries. Back disablements often result in lost time | | | | - Back supports are not a substitute for an |
| and a lengthy recuperation period and, as such, | | | | effective ergonomics program. They are a |
| are major contributors to workers' compensation | | | | supplemental part of a comprehensive ergonomics |
| costs. In fact, according to the National Institute | | | | program, which includes job task analysis, |
| on Occupational Safety and Health, back disorders | | | | ergonomic redesign, medical surveillance, training |
| account for over 24 percent of all occupational | | | | and education, and the use of personal protective |
| injuries and illnesses involving days away from | | | | equipment. Back supports also have a positive role |
| work. | | | | to play in those situations where the risk of injury |
| Sore backs can range from a nuisance to those | | | | cannot be readily engineered out of a job, such as |
| that prevent the sufferer from doing what is | | | | in patient care, hospitality, construction, or delivery |
| needed for work or enjoyment. Prolonged back | | | | service settings. |
| pain not only affects physical activity, but the | | | | It is also important to remember that, while back |
| continuously nagging pain can also begin to affect | | | | supports can improve posture, they may restrict |
| mood and outlook. In the workplace, factors that | | | | motion. There has been some concern this |
| contribute to back injuries include: | | | | restriction may result in the wasting away |
| - A single traumatic event, such as a slip and fall | | | | (atrophy) of some muscles that support the spine |
| or a vehicle accident. | | | | through lack of use. If you use a back support, |
| - Cumulative trauma to the spine and related | | | | limit the use to intermittently several hours a day |
| structures from poor work posture, extended | | | | to ensure that muscles are properly maintained |
| periods of standing or sitting, or repeated | | | | (and if you use a back support while recovering |
| activities such as bending, twisting, and lifting | | | | from a back injury, be sure to consult your |
| (whether properly or improperly). | | | | medical professional regarding appropriate use for |
| In workplaces where there is a risk of back | | | | your conditions). |
| injury, steps can be taken to help reduce the | | | | How to Select the Right Back Support |
| incidence. One tool in the back-injury-prevention | | | | Selecting the appropriate back support is |
| arsenal is back supports. | | | | important for proper use and comfort while |
| The rationale behind back supports is that they | | | | wearing it. |
| support your abdomen and take some of the | | | | - Check for a design that conforms to the body |
| load off your lower back. If you have a | | | | to ensure a comfortable, secure fit. Back |
| labor-intensive job that places stress on your | | | | supports should sit below the navel and fit snugly |
| lower back, a back brace can help while you're | | | | on the hips, covering the vulnerable L5 and S1 |
| working or on returning to work after a back | | | | area of the spine. A back support should not pinch |
| injury by avoiding too much strain on your spine. | | | | or cause pain when you are wearing it. |
| Posture support devices have added straps to | | | | - Check for an adjustable two-stage closure that |
| help maintain a better posture for overall back | | | | allows the user to tighten the support during lifting |
| health. Back support choices range from | | | | activities and loosen when in a nonlifting position. |
| economical (starting at $10.51), to weightlifter belt | | | | - Check for an internal gripping mechanism. These |
| style, to contoured and highly adjustable. | | | | devices reduce ride up and help keep the back |
| What a Back Support Can't Do | | | | support in place. It's best if these materials are |
| While a back support can be a helpful ergonomic | | | | nonconductive so the support can be used in a |
| tool, like any type of personal protective | | | | variety of applications and work settings. |
| equipment (PPE) there are limitations to what it | | | | - Check to make sure the materials are |
| can do, and it is important to recognize those | | | | breathable and machine washable. Inferior |
| limitations in order to help prevent back injuries. | | | | materials can be hot and uncomfortable to wear |
| - Back supports will not allow a worker to lift | | | | and may need to be hand washed. |
| more weight. | | | | - Check the material specifications for overall |
| - Back supports will not eliminate back injuries. | | | | durability. Inferior hook-and-loop closures, elastic |
| They are one control measure to help reduce the | | | | band and other critical components will |
| risk of injury. Reducing the risk factors help | | | | breakdown, reducing function, and increasing |
| reduce the incidence rate. Back supports should | | | | long-term cost. |
| be used in conjunction with other control | | | | |