Back Injury

HEALTH - OCCUPATIONAL HAZARDS

Back Injury
Back Injury

Sheet 1 - Structure of the spine

The main parts of the spine

are:

Bones
Cartilage
Ligaments
Muscle tissue
Nerves
Back Injury

Sheet 2 - Causes of back injuries

A large number of back injuries are caused by:

• Bending or twisting to pick up

heavy objects
• bending or twisting to pick up
awkward objects
• over stretching or over reaching
• slipping or tripping
• falling and landing heavily
• whiplash
• pushing and pulling heavy loads
• being hit in the back
Back Injury

Sheet 3 - Causes of back injury

Working in cramped, Repetitive bending or twisting

confined spaces

Standing or sitting Maintaining awkward

on hard surfaces positions

Vibration from power Slouching in your

tools chair

Continually carrying
heavy loads
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Sheet 4 - Types of back injury

Types of back injury include:

• muscle damage

• slipped disc

• fracture of the spine

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Sheet 5 - Assessing the risks

To work out the risks involved in

a task you must:

• check to see if the load is too high

or too low for easy lifting
• size up the load
• test the weight
• check the shape to see if it will be
awkward to carry
• check if the load is balanced
• check the distance you have to
carry the load
• check where the load is to be
stored
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Sheet 6 - Reducing back injuries

You can reduce the chance of back injury by:

Keeping work area clear

Minimising work in
cramped spaces

Not lifting heavy

Keeping yourself objects on your own
reasonably fit

Sitting correctly on
your chair
Not stooping over
your work

Keeping floors clean and dry