The document discusses common causes and risk factors for back injuries, as well as prevention strategies. It notes that 65% of low back pain is caused by disc degeneration from aging and lifting stress. Some key risk factors include staying in one position for long periods, excessive vibrations, smoking, being overweight, and having a sedentary lifestyle. Proper lifting techniques to prevent injuries include bending the knees, keeping the back straight, lifting with the legs, and avoiding twisting motions.

1. Back Injury Prevention Basics Risk Factors and Primary Causes of Back Pain

2. Disabling Injuries Back Injuries due to lifting and trauma Head Injuries Including Auto Accidents Limb - Machine & Auto

3. General Industry Injury Costs

4. Strain/Sprain Injury Average Annual Direct Cost of $ 6,803 Total Cost $ 2,952,303 Low Back Injuries Average Annual Direct Cost = 8,902 Total Cost of Low Back Inj. = $1,034,102

5. R equired S ales to Cover Direct Costs ( assuming a 3% profit Margin) Strains will require $100,000,000 in sales Low Back Injuries will require $36,666,667

6. Required Sales to Cover Direct & Hidden Costs $400,000,000 for Strains $122,666,668 for Low Back Injuries alone

7. Functions of the Spine Support your body Protects your brain from shock Pipe line for the Nervous System

8. TYPES of INJURIES STRAINS & SPRAINS - Ligaments stretched or torn MUSCLE SPASM - stress, weather or strain related NEUROLOGICAL - nerve involvement HERNIATED DISK - protrusion of a disk

9. TYPES of INJURIES CONGENITAL - from birth DEGENERATIVE - from aging, Osteroarthritis

10. Primary Causes of Low Back Pain 65% DISC DEGENERATION Including Aging & Lifting Stress 20 % INFLAMMATION - cold - spasm 10 % TRAUMA - falls - whip lash 5 % MISCELLANEOUS CAUSES

12. Some Common Terms SCIATICA: Pressure on the Sciatic Nerve (L5 - S1) SLIPPED DISK: Herniation of a disc and protrusion of the disc material OSTEOPOROSIS: calcium degeneration of bone SPONDYLOLISTHESIS: constricted disc space and fusion of vertebrae

13. The Nervous System

16. Major Chest Muscles

17. Risk Factors Staying in one position for long periods Excessive vibrations Cigarette smoking Overweight increases disk pressure Sedentary Lifestyle Improper Footwear

18. STEPS to SAFER LIFTING KNOW YOUR LIMIT ESTIMATE THE WEIGHT - lift a corner, read a label etc....... MAKE SURE YOU HAVE FIRM FOOTING GET A GOOD GRIP BEND YOUR KNEES

19. With the weight on your mind the force is straight down- when you bend the weight is multiplied by the distance to your back Poor Form for Lifting

20. MORE HINTS BRING THE WEIGHT CLOSE TO YOUR CENTER OF GRAVITY TIGHTEN YOUR STOMACH MUSCLES KEEP YOUR BACK IN A STRAIGHT COMFORTABLE POSITION LIFT WITH YOUR LEGS TURN YOUR BODY - DON’T TWIST

21. TWO PERSON LIFTS Follow the steps for Safe Lifting & Plan Your Moves Before You Start (doorways, steps, obstacles etc...) Chose a Partner about the Same Size COORDINATE YOUR ACTIONS

22. COMMON MISTAKES Lifting with the Back Bent & Legs Straight Using a Jerking Motion Bending & Twisting Poor Planning Holding the Load far away WILL GET YOU TO THE DOC

23. REMEMBER Plan your lift Bend your knees Get a grip Insure Good footing Don’t Twist 30 LB. Ouch!