Given that back pain is one of the most common reasons that U.S. employees give for missing work, it should be a major concern for employers. The American Chiropractic Association reports some 31 million Americans experience low-back pain at one point or another during a year.
Most cases of back pain are mechanical in nature. By training employees to follow the "three Ps," employers can help them avoid mechanical back pain and any resulting work absences and costly doctor visits:
Believe it or not, the shoes an employee wears not only impacts the health of their feet, but also their legs, hips, and back. Shoes have a role in an employee's ability to maintain a healthy posture during walking, standing, and sitting activities.
Additionally, shoe choice plays a large role in slips and falls, which are frequent causes of workplace back injuries. Here are a few tips:
The muscles in the back can become fatigued and injured when an employee stands with a swayed back or slouches. This posture exaggerates the natural curvature of the back, which is being put in an unnatural and stressful position.
The following techniques can help employees improve their posture:
Cluttered, disorganized work areas can frequently cause back pain. Initiate a movement to help employees reorganize their work areas to prevent repetitive, useless, and/or unduly stressful movements. Equipment should be organized so that it's easily accessible for users and doesn't make them twist and stretch to reach it. Here are some ideas:
We're here to help.