Backs: Back Safety

Our body’s flexibility and mobility depend upon a strong, healthy back. Yet, 80 percent of all on-the-job and off-the-job injuries involve the back or neck. Learn about the structure of the back, common types of back injuries, back diseases, and back health with this Video On Demand. Introductory material explains what makes the back solid, but flexible and familiarizes viewers with the role of vertebrae, vertebral discs and the spinal canal. The difference between acute and chronic back pain, which could indicate spinal stenosis, osteoporosis or arthritis, is discussed. Methods to protect the back by adopting good posture while at work, play and sleep are shared. Viewers learn ergonomic considerations for office work to avoid fatigue, overstretching muscles and causing back strain.

Proper use of the legs, load assessment, mechanical aids and other safe lifting techniques to help employees protect their backs are stressed. Viewers learn about the 10:1 lifting ratio and how lifting heavy loads enormously adds to the risk of back injury. Taking care of the back all day, every day means knowing and practicing good posture while driving, sleeping, playing and working around the house. Viewers learn about treating back injuries, including when it is appropriate to seek help from orthopedic doctors, chiropractors or physical therapists.

This video training provides an overview of the complex system that is the back. Viewing it will help keep back safety top-of-mind by reinforcing the need to “listen” to our backs, stretch, maintain a healthy body weight, good posture and use safe lifting techniques. Investing the time in this back safety training will save countless hours of pain, the frustration of injury and impairment, and many days of lost productivity for any employee.

   This course is in the Video On Demand format, to read about Video On Demand features click here.

All workers

• Introduction
• How the Back Works
• Problems
• Diseases that Affect the Back
• Healthier Back
• Proper Lifting Techniques
• Back Care is 24/7
• Sleeping Properly
• Treating a Bad Back
• Review

• PowerLift: Lifting Techniques For A Healthy Back
• Preventing Back Injuries: To The Point
• Patient Handling Safety