1. Presented by QBE Loss Control Services Back Safety Controls

2. Ergonomic Controls to Prevent Back Injuries

3. Hierarchy of Controls Engineering Administrative Personal Protective Equipment

4. Engineering Controls Most effective Reduce or eliminate root causes Physically alter the work environment

5. Most Important Principles Can lift be eliminated? If a person or machine has expended energy to lift an item, it should not be set down until it reaches its final destination

6. Engineering Controls Reduce weight of objects Change way materials moved Reduce container weights and sizes Change workstation layout

7. Engineering Controls Bring load closer to the body Raise or lower the origin and destination of lifts (avoid lifts below knees and above shoulder) Reduce the vertical distance of lift Move origin and destination closer or farther apart to reduce twisting Improve object handholds

8. Administrative Controls Management directed policies and practices Do not eliminate hazard Require employee feedback and close supervision

9. Administrative Controls Job rotation Reduce overtime Increase recovery periods (more breaks) Training Reduce pace of lifting Stretching or exercise programs Two-man lift policies Weight lifting limits

10. Back Training Historically the main control for back injuries Why?-Easy Largely ineffective

11. Personal Protective Equipment Least effective Relies on each individual to reduce risk factors Gloves- sharp edges, hot cold surfaces Proper footwear

12. Back Belts- NIOSH Study No differences in rates of injury between employees who wear back belts No differences in rates of injury in facilities where back belts required False sense of security Weaken back muscles if not worn properly Reduce circulation

13. Traditional Back Injury Controls Back schools Training in proper lifting techniques Use of back belts

14. New Approaches to Back Injury Control Employee selection/pre-placement strength testing Physical fitness/wellness JHA (Job Hazard Analysis) Engineering Controls Medical management of injured employees/ Transitional Return-to-Work

15. Prioritization of Controls Tasks with highest risk factors Tasks which impact the most employees

16. Selection of Controls Will the control reduce risk factors? Will the control add other hazards to the process? Will the control increase or decrease productivity? Is the control feasible? Will the control be accepted? How soon can the control be implemented? Will the control require special Training?

17. Selection of Controls Hold brainstorming sessions Include engineering, maintenance staff, managers, employees Contact vendors Contact experts Contact trade associations

18. Selection of Controls Develop list of alternatives Rate alternatives according to effectiveness and cost Try to find alternatives that also increase productivity Use cost benefit analysis or other financial tools Determine best solution

19. Selection of Controls Mock-up to evaluate control Improve control as necessary Use mock-up station to train employees Bring control to full production Anticipate initial resistance Do not make final assessment until enough time has past

20. Evaluation of Controls Have risk factors been reduced? Are there less complaints of fatigue and discomfort? Are injury rates reduced? Have employees accepted the control? Have rates of turnover and absenteeism been reduced? Has there been an increase in productivity?

21. Lift tables Positions materials at comfortable height

22. Lift and Tilt Tables Lift reduces back bending Tilt reduces reaching distance

23. Lift and Swivel Tables Useful for working with pallets Lift reduces back bending Swivel reduces reach

24. Tilt Tables Useful for retrieving parts from bins Reduces back bending Reduces reach

25. Turntables Useful to access several sides of object

26. Load Levelers Adjust automatically as weight added/removed Eliminates back bending Eliminates reach

27. Pallet Wrappers Eliminate grasping forces Eliminates awkward postures

28. Pallet Inverters Useful for material transfers

29. Pallet Lifters Useful for pallets Reduces back bending Reduces reach Can move load

30. Pallet Jacks Ideal for moving pallets Reduces risk factors associated with moving objects

31. Lift Carts Allows objects to be moved easily Reduces back bending

32. Lift and Tilt Carts Reduced back bending Reduces reach

33. Tilt Carts Useful for small parts transported in bins Reduces reach Reduced back bending

34. Load Leveler Carts Portability of a cart Adjust automatically as weight added/removed

35. Conveyors Allow objects to be moved pushing/pulling Can be powered

36. Articulating Arms Support weight while load is manipulated Numerous arm end-effectors available

37. Vacuum Lifts Useful for handling bulky items Useful for unloading/loading pallets

38. Cranes Eliminates lifting

39. Cutout Tote Bins Allow easy access to bottom of bin

40. Drop-side Bins Allow full access to bottom of bin

41. Drum Carts Useful for transporting 55 gallon drums

42. Drum Handlers Reduces force and poor posture when moving drums

43. Drum Dumpers Reduces back strain from awkward postures

44. Vacuum Cups Useful for moving loads with smooth surfaces Allow power grip posture

45. Forklift Attachments

46. Moving & Storage

47. Construction Work Less regimented Rarely follow set routine Affected by weather, supplies, site conditions, etc.

48. Construction Controls