Tag: back strain

The High Cost of Back Injuries

Despite safety procedures, workers will still try to lift and carry items that weigh between 40 and 100 pounds without assistance. There’s something in the human psyche that says, “That doesn’t seem so heavy; I can do this myself.” That 60-pound weight range is the source of back injuries that cost U.S. businesses more than $1 billion a year in lost man-hours, medical costs, workers’ compensation and disability payments.

Back strain due to overexertion is one of the greatest causes of employee injury in the American workplace. Only the common cold fells more workers. In fact, 25% of workplace injuries are due to overexertion, according to the National Safety Council. NIOSH estimates that overexertion injuries cost American business 12 million lost workdays and $1 billion in compensation costs each year. Lower back injuries account for 60% of overexertion injuries. Nearly one-quarter of all workers’ compensation claims are for back injuries, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. OSHA estimates that at least one in five disabling work injuries is a back injury.

Ergonomic design has been proven to significantly reduce overexertion and back injuries. By applying ergonomic principles to work station design, equipment and worker movements, back strain can be virtually eliminated. The only wild card is that over-zealous employee anxious to show off his muscles!

Ergonomically designed carts, tugs and lifts take the burden off worker muscles. Lifts can place tasks at the correct height for sorting, picking, packing and storage. Powered carts and tugs can move materials to designated work areas with no to minimal worker effort. DJ Products sells a variety of ergonomically designed carts to fit the needs of business and industry. One of our big bruisers, the heavy-duty CartCaddy HD, is designed to push, pull or maneuver carts or equipment up to 50,000 pounds. The electric lift option and mover arm allow adaptability to any size load or cart. It even allows the cart to pivot a full 180 degrees under the arm for maximum maneuverability.

Visit the DJ Products website for other ergonomic solutions that are designed to improve efficiency and productivity in your plant while decreasing potential worker injury.

Back Strain in the Workplace

Only the common cold results in more lost work days than back strain. Overexertion is responsible for 25% of all workplace injuries, according to the National Safety Council. One worker in every 200 experiences an overexertion injury, indicates data compiled by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Annually, overexertion injuries cost American business more than 12 million lost workdays and over $1 billion in compensation costs. The majority of overexertion injuries — 60% — result in back strain, particularly in the lower back.

Statistics show that one in five disabling workplace injuries are back injuries and that more than 25% of workers’ compensation claims are for back injuries. Back strain occurs when the back muscles are overused or ligaments and tendons are overstretched. Recovery can be lengthy; and once damaged, the back is particularly susceptible to re-injury.

Back injuries most often occur during lifting, pulling, pushing, carrying, bending or twisting activities. These are the same activities most likely to be carried out by workers on a daily basis. According to OSHA studies, preventive measures that include weight restrictions on loads and personnel safety training have proved inadequate in reducing injuries. However, coupling preventive measures with ergonomically designed equipment can significantly reduce the incidence of back injuries in the workplace.

By studying the actions used to complete a task, ergonomic engineers are able to design equipment that eliminates or minimizes lifting, pulling, pushing, carrying, bending and twisting actions. Ergonomic cart puller equipment that reduces the potential for overexertion or extension reduces the risk of back injury.