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May 18, 2015

Four back injury prevention tips

Protect your back at work with injury prevention techniques.

Protect your back at work with injury prevention techniques.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, one in five workers suffer from back injuries in the workplace, accounting for almost one million employees every year. Back injuries can occur in almost any job field but happen most often when lifting and moving.
Back injuries can be caused by a range of factors including:

  • Bending while lifting
  • Fatigue
  • Lifting with too much force
  • Poor footing, such as hazardous work areas
  • Reaching while lifting
  • Remaining in one position for a long duration of time
  • Repetitive motions or lifting practices.

Some back injury prevention techniques include:

  1. Avoiding heavy lifting if possible. In addition, lift with your knees, instead of your back by lifting using knee power and keeping the back straight.
  2. Implementing back-strengthening exercises into weekly routines. Exercising your back two to three times a week can help make the back more limber, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
  3. Sitting and standing up straight. Constant pressure on the back caused by bad posture can cause long-term damage, as well as inhibit your ability to complete tasks properly and efficiently.
  4. Staying active by exercising or following a health daily routine that works best for you.

Preventing back injuries is vital to your overall health and wellness. Treating a back injury can be a long, tedious process with time spent away from work and other daily activities.
Mastery has video-based e-learning courses available for back safety and injury prevention. Some  focus on lifting techniques and safety, while others encourage a full personal understanding of health limitations.
For a full list of available employee training courses, visit our website.
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