Back to Basics: Preventing Back Injuries

Updated: Aug 7, 2023

Back to Basics is a weekly feature that highlights important but possibly overlooked information that any EHS professional should know. This week, we examine how to prevent back injuries in the workplace.

Many industries, ranging from nursing and construction to manufacturing and office work, can place significant demands on your back. Back pain can make it difficult to concentrate at work and lead to injuries. So, it’s important to understand what causes back injuries in the workplace and what you can do to prevent them.

Three primary safety hazards in the workplace that can lead to back injuries include:

To reduce strain on your back and prevent injuries while you’re working, consider these three tips.

Tip one: Use proper lifting techniques.

Before lifting an object, assess your ability to handle the object. Should you ask a coworker for help, or can you use lifting equipment?

The following are best practices when lifting, carrying, and unloading an object to prevent injuries:

Tip two: Modify repetitive tasks.

It’s helpful to modify repetitive tasks to make them more comfortable and reduce the strain on your back. For example, if you frequently lift objects at work, use lifting equipment such as forklifts, hand trucks, and conveyors. If you are regularly taking phone calls, use a headset instead of a hand-held phone.

Tip three: Practice good posture.

To protect your back while at your desk, use an ergonomic chair, and make sure you’re sitting in an upright position. You may consider using a lumbar pillow for extra lower back support. If using a computer, place your monitor where you can see it without having to lean forward or backward or twist uncomfortably.

Be sure to:

In the event you do get injured on the job, you should:

A healthy body is less likely to sustain an injury and can heal much quicker if you do injure yourself. Below are some habits that can help prevent back pain and injuries:

Business and Learning Resources (BLR), a division of Simplify Compliance, LLC, is an industry-leading knowledge provider with more than 40 years of experience in human capital management, environmental, health, and safety; learning and development; and legal markets. BLR® provides innovative education solutions designed to help businesses deliver consistent training, achieve compliance, and maximize efficiencies in employee workflows, resulting in measurable performance and financial improvements.