Avoiding Back Strain

It is easy to avoid back strain if you follow a few sensible rules AND if you get the right equipment for the task :

Watch Out! Common tasks leading to musculoskeletal disabilities are:

• Heavy manual labour and handling tasks in heavy industry
• Manual handling in awkward places
• Repetitive tasks such as fabrication and packing of goods
• Sitting at workstations for extended periods
• Driving long distances

Don’t Do It! Physical activities can cause or aggravate back pain, including:

• Stooping, bending over or crouching
• Lifting objects which are too heavy or bulky
• Carrying loads awkwardly
• Pushing, pulling, dragging excessive loads
• Using poor lifting techniques
• Stretching, twisting or reaching
• Working for long periods in one position
• Suffering vibration, jolting or jarring
• Carrying loads above shoulder height
• Working in cramped conditions
• Working in a cluttered environment

Assess and Avoid! The above hazards can frequently be avoided or minimised:

• Undertake a Risk Assessment to determine the chance of harm
• Take precautions to minimise or eliminate the risk
• Engineer out problems by designing work patterns which take account of the risks
• Provide equipment which mechanises the operation
• Monitor the situation to ensure the adaptations are working
• Modify as necessary to meet changing safety circumstances
• Employ work patterns which provide holiday and sickness cover to avoid over-stressing stand-in staff
• Avoid the need for staff to handle loads which obstruct vision

Mind your backs!

http://www.hse.gov.uk/msd/backpain/wkp.htm