Bending, stooping, kneeling, or squatting can put a lot of stress on workers’ backs and lead to costly lost workday injuries. Find out what NIOSH recommends for preventing incidents and injuries
The back safety problem and solutions offered here come from NIOSH’s Simple Solutions: Ergonomics for Construction Workers. But the same principles apply to many other workers in a variety of jobs who are at risk for back injuries when working at floor level.
PROBLEM:
Work at floor level, necessitating a lot of bending, stooping, kneeling, or squatting, can take a toll on the lower back and cause pain. Over time these motions can lead to a serious injury. The risk is higher if workers stoop, squat, or kneel often for long periods of time.
Bending is also a big problem. Bending forward repeatedly every day for months or years can weaken discs in the spine. As the discs are squeezed by bending, they can press on various part of the spine, including nerves. The result is pain. Compromised discs can also rupture. Twisting the body while bending puts even more pressure on discs and other parts of the back.
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SOLUTIONS:
- Change materials or work processes. Use materials and work methods that are less labor-intensive. This can shorten the task, requiring less time in an awkward posture. Rather than using the floor as a workbench, raise the work to waist height using tables, carts, etc.
- Change tools and/or materials. For example, workers can use tools with extension handles that permit standing while performing a floor-level task.
- Change work rules. Develop new work rules to reduce the amount of kneeling, stooping, squatting, or bending. When kneeling is unavoidable, provide workers with kneepads and require their use.
- Change work schedules. Limit time performing floor-level work without at break.
- Provide training. Train workers to identify back risks and use appropriate methods to avoid stress and strain.
You can download the whole NIOSH publication at www.cdc.gov/niosh. Enter "simple solutions ergonomics" in the search box. The booklet includes 20 sets of problems and solutions, some of which you might be able to adapt for your employees.
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