Ergonomics and Back Safety · Ergonomics and Back Safety • Ergonomic risk factors – Repetitive, forceful or prolonged exertions of hands – Frequent or heavy lifting, pushing,

PPT-SM-BACKSFTY V.A.0.0

Ergonomics and Back Safety

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Ergonomics and Back Safety Ergonomics • Scientific study of equipment design for the purpose of

improving efficiency, comfort and safety

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Ergonomics and Back Safety • Ergonomic risk factors

– Repetitive, forceful or prolonged exertions of hands – Frequent or heavy lifting, pushing, pulling or carrying

heavy objects – Prolonged awkward postures

• Improper ergonomics can lead to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD)

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Ergonomics and Back Safety To help prevent ergonomic injuries • Keep body in neutral position • Change working position throughout the day • Stretch fingers, hands, arms and torso • Periodically stand up and walk around

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Ergonomics and Back Safety • Companies must perform hazard assessments to

determine ergonomic controls • Immediate injuries to the back can be caused by tearing

or straining ligaments • Minor, repeated damage over time can be as dangerous

on your spine as one acute injury

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Ergonomics and Back Safety • Back problems account for a large percentage of

injuries to workers • Back injuries cause serious problems

– Highest loss area in worker’s compensation claims – Leading cause of disability in workers – Health problems affecting quality of worker’s life

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Common Causes of Back Injuries

Usually the result of several combined risk factors • Lifting items that are too heavy • Repetitive or forceful exertions • Stretching and lifting • Lifting and carrying a bulky load • Twisting at the waist and lifting • Bad posture • Reaching above mid chest • Working or sitting for long periods • Slips, trips and falls

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Improper lifting is one of the most common causes of back problems.


Common Causes of Back Injuries Stress occurs when you • Bend at the waist • Lift a heavy object • Sit leaning forward • Have a spine degenerating disease

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• Bending at the waist can add ten times the amount of force to the spine.

• When you add in the 105 lbs. of the average upper torso, lifting a 10 lb. object actually puts 1,150 lbs. of pressure on your lower back.

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• If you were 25 lbs. overweight, the extra weight increases your upper torso to 130 lbs.

• That would add an additional 250 lbs. of pressure on your back, making it 1,400 lbs. of pressure every time you bend over

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Symptoms • If back injury is suspected, immediately report the injury and

have the injury examined • Signs and symptoms of back injuries

– Pain – Numbness – Reduced range of motion – Stiffness – Weakness – Popping or grinding in the joints – Muscle spasms due to stress or tension

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Identification of Job Hazards • It may be possible to redesign a job to make it

less likely to cause injury • Companies should determine controls and

procedures to reduce the number of back injuries • If you have suggestions, share information with

supervisor

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Prevention Engineering controls • Mechanical lifting aids • Adjustable worktables • Storing materials • Designing lighter materials

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Prevention • Administrative controls

– Training on ergonomic principles – Placing the right person for the job – Issuing changes

• PPE – Not as effective at preventing back injuries as

engineering controls

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Prevention Reduce back injuries by • Staying in good shape • Eliminating negative lifestyles by reducing stress and tension • Asking for help • Releasing stress to back by moving and stretching • Transferring weight for support • Practicing lumbar stabilization • Avoiding extreme force when using tools • Pushing rather than pulling loads

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Prevention • Proper lifting techniques

– Position yourself close to the load – Spread feet a shoulder’s width apart – Keep knees bent, back straight – Tighten the stomach muscles – Lift using the large muscles of the legs – Avoid twisting your body

• Keep object within safe lifting zone – Between waist and shoulders

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Ergonomics and Back Safety Quiz

October 2013 Safety Meeting

Name: Date:

INSTRUCTIONS: Sign and date this quiz sheet. Circle the letter representing the correct answer to each quiz question below.

QUIZ-SM-BACKSFTY

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1. ____________________ is the study of equipment design for the purpose of improving efficiency, comfort

and safety. A. Anatomy B. Chemistry C. Ergonomics D. All of the above

2. Improper ergonomics can lead to musculoskeletal disorder (MSD). A. True B. False

3. To help prevent ergonomic injuries, it is important to ____________________. A. Keep your body in a neutral position B. Change your working position throughout the day C. Periodically stand up and walk around D. All of the above

4. Back injuries account for a large percentage of injuries to workers. A. True B. False

5. Common causes of back injuries include all of the following, except ______________. A. Bad posture B. Lifting and carrying bulky loads C. Utilizing safe lifting techniques D. Working or sitting for long periods of time

6. Back stress occurs when you ______________. A. Bend at the waist B. Lift a heavy object C. Sit leaning forward D. All of the above

7. If a back injury is suspected, immediately report the injury to a supervisor and have the injury examined by a professional. A. True B. False

8. It is not possible to redesign a job to make it less likely to cause injury. A. True B. False

9. Engineering controls that aid in preventing back injuries includes _________________. A. Mechanical lifting aids B. Adjustable worktables C. Storing materials D. All of the above

10. Your safe lifting zone is between your waist and your shoulders. A. True B. False

Ergonomics and Back Safety Answer Key

Below is the answer key for the quiz.

October 2013 Safety Meeting

KEY-SM-BACKSFTY

V.A.0.0

1. C

2. A

3. D

4. A

5. C

6. D

7. A

8. B

9. D

10. A

This is to certify that

has successfully completed thePEC Safety Meeting

Date AwardedInstructor

Ergonomics and Back Safety

SAFETY MEETINGS | STUDENT ROSTER

PRINT STUDENT NAME (CLEARLY) STUDENT SIGNATURE LAST 4 SSN or DOB1.

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INSTRUCTOR NAME SAFETY MEETING DATE

SAFETY MEETING NAME COMPANY NAME

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Ergonomics and Back Safety · Ergonomics and Back Safety • Ergonomic risk factors – Repetitive, forceful or prolonged exertions of hands – Frequent or heavy lifting, pushing,