1. A safety meeting on caring for your back
Preventing Back Pain
A safety meeting on caring for your back
Presented by:
Dan Klimek
Sisk & Company

2. Objective of Safety Meeting

3. Back/Spine Anatomy

5. The Back as a Lever
The back works
on a 10 to 1 lever arm.

6. Pick up a 100 pound item, but weight 25 pounds more

7. Tremendous Forces on our backs
Due to the design of our bodies, when we lift and move incorrectly, or with out regard to body mechanics, we can exceed the strength of the bone and tissues that hold us together.
Even if we do an activity and nothing happens, we need to be aware that it takes time for the body to heal.
Care for your back

8. Keep load close to body
Avoid lifting and twisting the back
Size up the lift before lifting
Use legs as much as possible
Back bends after forward bends
Use mechanical aids of possible

9. Maintaining A Healthy Back Standing
Maintain the normal curves
Anti-fatigue mats and/or soft -soled shoes
Foot supports
Proper Stance
Keep your stomach muscles firm
Stretch periodically
Maintain the normal curves of the spine as much as possible
Stand on anti-fatigue mats and/or wear soft -soled shoes or inserts
Use a foot support to relieve the demand on your legs or place your foot on an elevated surface from time to time

10. Maintaining A Healthy Back Lifting
Check the weight
Proper positioning
Assume a wide base
Keep the normal curves
Firm stomach muscles
Smooth, controlled movements
Always check the weight of the load before you attempt to lift
Position yourself as close to the load as possible
Assume a wide base of support with legs shoulder width apart and one foot slightly ahead of the other
Keep the normal curves in your spine
Keep your stomach muscles firm
Use smooth, controlled movements

11. Maintaining A Healthy Back Miscellaneous
Smoking - decreases the flow of nutrients to the spine and can
increase the risk of injury and the length of time for recovery
Nutrition - is essential to provide adequate nutrients to the spine to
function better and improve recovery time
Stress - increases the risk of injury by causing us to be “tight” and not
focusing on safety
Smoking- decreases the flow of nutrients to the spine and can increase the risk of injury and the length of time for recovery
Nutrition- is essential to provide adequate nutrients to the spine to function better and improve recovery time
Stress- distractions like family issues, finances, time constraints, etc. increases the risk of injury
Exercise has been shown to have a positive effect on stress. Other methods for reducing stress include relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, listening to music and reading.

12. Review Likely cause of injury – we are all at risk
The back is under tremendous force when we bend and lift (10 to 1 lever arm)
Pay attention to our movements, especially when we lift items
We can take simple steps to care for our back
Posture
Stretching and back bends
Not smoking