Back Injuries In Workplace - Essay Example

the effectiveness of using back belts Back injuries, as per various occupational safety authorities’ account for approximately 20% of all work place injuries estimated to cost approximately 20 to 50 billion dollars per year (NIOSH, 1996). A back belt working group was instituted by National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) as early as in 1990s to conclude or recommend on the use of back belts to prevent work related back injuries. This working group submitted a memorandum on 27th May 1994 to the director, NIOSH which clearly concludes that an in-depth review of scientific literature related back belts, on evaluating the adequacy of data in support of the use of back belts in preventing work related injuries was insufficient to draw any conclusion either in support or against the advantages of using a back belt in a work related environment.

The memorandum also concluded that “the effectiveness of using back belts to lessen the risk of back injuries among uninjured workers (NIOSH, 1996)” and does not consider back belts to be personnel protective equipment as there is no supporting data to indicate significant reduction of bio-mechanical loading on the trunk during manual lifting. Also, the popular claims of industrial back belt manufacturers that back belts reduce significantly back injury risk due to changes in intra-abdominal pressure (IAP) and trunk muscle electro-myography (EMG).

The claims of popular manufacturers in the market – OK-1 or Valeo or OccuNomix, seem to be focussing on the fact that the back belts work and help prevent work-place injuries by significantly reducing the intra-abdominal pressure or stiffening the spine. Now comparing this with the authentic documentation from NIOSH or OSHA or the Surgeon General’s advisory that the efficacy of using back belts in preventing work place back injuries seems to be almost contradictory. While the manufacturer’s claim efficacy in usage of their products, there is no scientific evidence to back that claim.

Probably this argument could go on and on both from the official front on lack of evidence to prove efficacy and manufacturers claiming efficacy. Taking a side in this argument leaves our organization nowhere near the solution near that is being sought to prevent work place back injuries. The primary concern with respect to this paper is to prevent injuries and ensure well being of the employees while ensuring highest level of productivity for the organization. Towards this end the recommendations are as follows:1.

Carrying out an extensive extension campaign in the target employee community on back injuries and their prevention. For this, it is necessary that occupational safety experts are roped in. Possibly, back belt usage could be made voluntary since there is no indication of any harm in their use.2. Consistent screening of videos explaining and showing correct procedures for lifting weights should be done on the workshop floors. 3. Possibility of using gravity driven load movement like roller conveyers etc, could be explored as a long-term initiative since these are capital intensive.

Adapting the above mentioned measures must significantly reduce back injuries and related injuries at workplace within the organization. References(ICMR), I. C. (2003). Operations Management. Hyderabad: ICFAI Center for Management Research (ICMR).NIOSH. (1996, October). NIOSH/ Back Belts - Do they prevent injuries? Retrieved January 25, 2009, from NIOSH: http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/backbelt.htmlTaylor, J. (2008, April 7). The impact of Technology on business. Retrieved January 21, 2009, from Smartenoughsystems.

com: http://jtonedm.com/2008/04/07/live-from-impact-the-impact-of-technology-on-business/