Transcript Low Back Injury Prevention

Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Low Back Injury
Prevention
Kathleen McCarthy, M.S.
Concentra Health Services
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Back Pain Is Preventable
80-85% is due to lifestyle
Poor posture
Excess weight
Poor physical condition
Improper lifting
15-20% is due to disease &
malformation
CONETRA
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Causes of Low Back Injury
Mismatch between worker and job
demands at time of hire and return to
work
Ergonomic issues with job
Bad work practices
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Prevention is the Key
Evaluate current situation
Identify problem jobs
Determine causes
Identify solutions
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Bad Match at Time of Hire
Pre-placement screening
Drug screen
Medical physical
Functional test
“Can this person perform the essential
job functions?”
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Ergonomic Risk Factors
Awkward postures
Forceful lifting, pushing, pulling
Prolonged repetitive motion
Contact stress
Vibration
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Awkward Postures
Keep back in neutral
Avoid twisting
Keep load close
Stay in Power Zone
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Pushing/Pulling
Keep load close
Keep materials below eye level
Keep back upright
Use leg, buttock muscles to generate
force
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Bad Work Practices
Best addressed with training
Lifting, pushing, pulling techniques
Housekeeping
Tool usage
Work pace
Evaluate new hire training
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Preventing Back Pain
Improve posture
Lift properly
Keep curve in low back
Avoid twisting: “nose & toes same direction”
Minimize reaches
Push rather than pull
Stay in shape
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Stretches
Total body stretch
Performed standing up
Takes only 5 to 7 minutes
Improving America’s health, one patient at a time.
Questions?