The Workers’ Compensation Board of British Columbia reports that nearly 1/3 of all workplace injury compensation claims are due to sprains and strains. Back strains are the second most commonly reported injury. These figures make it clear that developing a comprehensive back injury prevention program for your workplace is both important and cost-effective.

As with any hazard assessment, the place to start is to identify the workers in your operation that are exposed to significant risk of back injury. If properly trained, your Joint Health and Safety Committee can be invaluable in accomplishing the numerous detailed assessments of each worker and task. Many tools are available to help you identify awkward or unnecessarily hazardous lifting activities. Look on-line to the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for useful tools, diagrams and information.

Once you have developed a list of high risk activities, the next step is to determine how best to eliminate or minimize the risk factors associated with those activities. The ways of minimizing lifting related risks are countless. While the use of back belts as a personal protective equipment option has been proven ineffective, modifying the material to be handled by adding better handholds, limiting the length of the lift or improving the worker’s body position for lifting are all valid control methods. Safe Operating Procedures developed through consultation with your JHSC also have an important role to play in controlling lifting risks. Studies suggest that simply training a workforce in risk factors and proper lifting techniques can greatly reduce injuries, even where management does not enforce their use.

The value of limiting the risk of back injury for your workforce is clear. The ways to control the risks are equally transparent. Realizing the potential future savings will require directed action.

For more information on hazard assessment and training, call 1-888-REA-4-EHS.

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