{"id":1587,"date":"2014-03-18T15:52:27","date_gmt":"2014-03-18T15:52:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.forkliftaccessories.com\/forkliftblog\/?p=1587"},"modified":"2023-11-14T21:21:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-15T03:21:26","slug":"preventing-back-injuries-work-part-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.forkliftaccessories.com\/forkliftblog\/preventing-back-injuries-work-part-1\/","title":{"rendered":"Preventing Back Injuries at Work, Part 1"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Avoiding<\/a>

Image courtesy Wikimedia Commons<\/p><\/div>\n

Editor’s Note: This is the first of two articles outlining the best practices for preventing back injuries in the workplace. The second article will be published later this week.<\/em><\/p>\n

Injuries to the back are one of the most common in the workplace, accounting for thousands of hours of lost productivity, workmen’s compensation claims, and untold pain and suffering. Yet back injuries are also one of the most preventable as long as workers are trained<\/a> to follow a few simple procedures and practices.<\/p>\n

The spine and muscles in the back play a role in nearly every movement people perform every day. The downside to this is that once a back injury occurs, it can cause pain every time we lift, push, stretch or use practically any muscle in the body.<\/p>\n

And because the back is not very resilient to injury, once it gets hurt, rehabilitation time can be long and painful. And the back will still never be as strong as it was before the injury.<\/p>\n

That’s why prevention is the best medicine<\/a> for protecting the back from injury.<\/p>\n

Poor Posture vs Force Injury<\/strong><\/p>\n

There are two primary ways back injuries can occur: Through weakening from excessive sitting or poor posture, or through a strain or tearing injury caused by force.<\/p>\n

Many workers spend a majority of their time sitting. The natural position of the back is an “S” curve, also known as the neutral position. Good, healthy posture requires one to maintain as straight a line as possible from the mid-line of the ears to the shoulders, hips, knees and ankles.<\/p>\n

Standing tall, pulling in the stomach while sitting and standing, and tightening the buttocks can all improve posture and prevent injuries associated with excessive sitting. The neutral position should be maintained while sitting, standing, sleeping, and even while reaching and pushing.<\/p>\n

Ways to Improve Posture<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you are having trouble maintaining the neutral position while sitting, here are some steps you can take to improve:<\/p>\n