Back Injuries

Research on the hazards of manual materials handling in industry is summarized and recommendations to reduce the human and economic burden imposed by improper materials handling are provided. Epidemiological, biomechanical, physiological, and psychophysical criteria are discussed for establishing work practice guidelines. Recommendations regarding the safe load weight, size, location and frequency of handling are presented along with mitigating factors such as worker training and physical fitness. Worker training and selection criteria are listed, and engineering guidelines are provided for the design of workplaces where manual materials handling is performed.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses.  

Back injuries are considered by OSHA as the nation’s #1 workplace safety problem.