1. Back Injury Statistics • 8 out of 10 adults experience it • 80% chance it will happen again • Effects everything we do • Exceedingly painful

2. Anatomy of the Back • Stacked vertebrae • Disc separate • Ligaments/muscle • Spinal cord

3. Factors That Cause Injury • Poor conditioning • Poor posture • Stress • Overdoing it • Improper storage practices

4. DANGER!! • Heavy lifting • Repetitive lifting • Twisting waist while lifting • Reaching and lifting • Working in awkward postures • Cold • Rushing through tasks

5. Imagine a See-saw How much weight will it take to move 10 lbs from center? • A. 5 lbs • B. 10 lbs • C. 15 lbs

6. Shift the Center What will it take to move it? • More force • Less force

7. Our Back Is a Lever • Our back is a 10:1 ratio.

8. Bob’s Story What do you think the doc said? • It’s in your head, get up and move. • You should have used proper body mechanics. • You may never walk again--let’s try risky back surgery.

9. What Is the Moral of Story? • Don’t lift heavy items • Don’t lift heavy items and twist • Don’t fall • Know your brother

10. Safe Lifting Techniques • Never twist and lift • Lift w/legs and ab muscles, not back • Wide base of support • Keep load close to body • Look straight ahead, not down

11. Safe Lifting Techniques (cont.) • Get a good grip on the load w/both hands • Breathe out as you lift • Know your limits – ask for help • Use good technique to set load down

12. Power Lift

13. Golfers’ Lift • Brace one hand for support • Raise opposite leg behind • Keep back straight • Look straight ahead

14. Pivot Feet • Never lift and twist • Pivot feet • Let your toes follow your nose

15. What Is Ergonomics? • Ergo = work • Nomics = study of • ‘The scientific study of the efficiency of man in his working environment’ • Oxford dictionary

16. What Is Ergonomics? • Fitting the task to worker • Owners manual • Improve quality of life • We take our health for granted—it must be earned— like a paycheck

17. What Is an MSD? • Sprains and strains • Not a slip, trip, or fall • Effects soft tissue • Accounts for 34% of lost-time injuries

18. A Successful Ergo Program • Training • Ergonomic council • Job hazard analysis • Hazard reduction and control • Program evaluation

19. Lifting

20. Lifting

21. Lifting in Dumpster

22. Lifting in Dumpster

23. Lifting on the Dock

24. Lifting

25. Stooping

26. Sweeping

27. Sweeping Bleachers

28. Sweeping and Lifting

29. Vacuum

30. Vacuum under Desk

31. Pushing/Pulling Cart

32. Storage

33. Storage

34. Problem Areas • Mop – wringing and mopping • Dry mop • Lifting • Shoveling

35. Individual Variables • Age • Strength • Mobility • Fatigue • Motivation • Pre-existing Injury

36. Task Variables • Load Handled • Weight • Size • Shape • Distribution of the Load • Degree of Shift of the Load

37. Task Variables • Workplace Layout • Degree of Movement Required • Obstacles • Distances Moved • Direction of Movement

38. Task Variables • Level of Demand • Frequency of Lift • Degree of Precision • Shift Duration • Accelerations and Velocities of Lift • Duration of Lifting Tasks

39. Healthy Back Tips • Exercise • Stretch • Posture • Relax • Common Sense

40. Summary • Take care of yourself to enjoy your life. • Take responsibility for the things you can control. • When lifting, never lift and twist

41. Questions?