Back Safety

c Your back is at work 24 hours a day.

c It takes part in almost every move you make.
c Because of its workload, your back is prone to injury.
Back Injuries

c re extremely painful.

c re difficult to heal.
c re frequently recurring.
c ffect everything you do.
Back Injuries

×reventing back injuries is a major safety challenge.

For those who suffer from back injury:

c nly 3% receive training in preventing back injuries.

c 97% receive medical treatment.
In Saudi Aramco

In 2005, back injuries caused:

c ½9% of all industrial disabling injuries (IDIs) resulting

in ½57 lost work days.
c 9% of all off-job disabling injuries (DIs) resulting
in 2½2 lost work days.
In Saudi Aramco

From January ½ to September 30, 2006, back injuries

caused:

c ½2% of IDIs resulting in 72 lost work days.

c 5% of DIs resulting in ½5½ lost work days.
^earn the Right Moves

£he best way to prevent back injuries is to learn

the right moves:

c ×ractice good posture²maintain your back¶s

natural curves.
c ×ractice good body mechanics and
work techniques²good habits
reduce the strain placed on the
back.
c Maintain physical fitness.
×osture

×ractice good posture:

c Stand or sit up straight.

c Keep knees slightly bent while
standing.
c Keep your ears, shoulders, hips,
and ankles in a straight line while
standing.
c £uck in buttocks.
Ý
ÿood Body Mechanics & Work
Techniques
^ifting

uemember your B K when lifting:

c B²Back Straight
c ²void £wisting
c ² lose to the body
c K²Keep the lift smooth (don¶t jerk)

Always lift with your legs!

ÿood Body Mechanics & Work
Techniques
Standing/walking

c Keep your weight equal on both feet or with

one foot up resting on a low stool.
c hange positions often.
c Keep head high, chin tucked in, toes straight
ahead.
c Wear comfortable, low-heeled shoes
(less than 4 cm high) with good support.
c £ake short rest breaks.
ÿood Body Mechanics & Work
Techniques
Driving

c djust car seat so your knees are just

below hip level.
c Sit up straight.
c Keep both hands on the steering
wheel.
c Use a lumbar support (or rolled-up
towel) to support your lower back.
ÿood Body Mechanics & Work
Techniques
Sitting

c Sit up straight and firmly against the back of

the chair.
c Keep both feet flat on the floor.
c Keep knees at or slightly lower than the level
of your hips.
c ×rotect your lower back with a lumbar support
(or rolled-up towel).
ÿood Body Mechanics & Work
Techniques
Sleeping

c Sleep on a firm mattress.

c Sleep on your side with a pillow between your bent
knees or on your back with a pillow under knees.
c Never sleep on your stomach, which can twist your neck
and strain your back.
ÿood Body Mechanics & Work
Techniques
Computer workstations

c Keep the keyboard directly in front

of you.
c ×lace the screen at a comfortable
distance.
c djust the top of the screen to be at
eye level.
c Maintain your back in neutral
posture.
c void extended reaches.
ÿood Body Mechanics & Work
Techniques
Computer workstations

c Keep forearms and hands

horizontal, with your elbows
vertically under your shoulders (no
angle at the wrist).
c djust the chair¶s height so that your
knees are level or slightly below
your hips and both feet are flat on
the floor.
ÿood Body Mechanics & Work
Techniques
Manual Material Handling
½. Decrease the weight lifted by:
c Modifying size, shape, and/or number of objects.
c uepackaging load.
c Holding objects close to your body.
c Distributing the weight of the load evenly.
c Using lifting teams (ask for help).
c Using lift assist devices (e.g., carts, dollies, forklifts,
cranes).
ÿood Body Mechanics & Work
Techniques
Manual Material Handling « M


2. Improve the effectiveness of your work
space by:
c Ensuring clear and easy access to load.
c £urning by moving your feet and your whole body.
c Minimizing bending, twisting, and reaching below
mid-thigh, above shoulder height, and beyond
50 cm.
ÿood Body Mechanics & Work
Techniques
Manual Material Handling « M


3. Minimize frequently repeated and lengthy
tasks that are the most tiring by:
c lternating heavy tasks with lighter ones.
c Using larger muscle groups (e.g., thighs).
c ueducing the number of times a load is lifted.
c ueducing the pace of the task.
Maintain ×hysical Fitness

×oor physical fitness can increase the

likelihood of a back injury.

uegular exercise:
c Strengthens back and abdominal muscles.
c ×romotes weight control.
c Keeps bones healthy and strong.

A sample stretching exercise against a wall