MSHA's Occupational Illness and Injury Prevention Program Health Topic "Watch Your Back" Prevent Back Injuries

Back injuries account for about one-fourth of the lost-time injuries in the mining industry. Many of these injuries could be avoided if miners practiced a few basic and simple rules for back conservation.

The back is a complex system consisting of five distinct spinal regions. The lumbar spine, the five vertebrae and six disks in the curved portion of the lower back, is the part most often injured. Lifting, bending, and twisting motions (on or off the job) can cause severe injury and pain. Because the lumbar region is the back area at greatest risk during normal work, it deserves to be the main focus of back conservation and maintenance attention.

Try to minimize the need to move materials manually. Proper planning and good job design can eliminate much lifting. The use of mechanical lifting aids can be a back-saver. However, if you must lift, remember that your body is not a crane; your back is not designed to "boom up", "boom down" or "boom to the side" with ease.

Carry the load close to your body. Avoid, if possible, any lift where the loads' center of gravity is more than a few inchesout from your belly; the stress on the lumbar region multiplies quickly as the center of gravity moves out from the spine.

The squat down, lift with the legs maneuver does not come naturally to most miners and it is more tiring than the traditional bent-backlifting technique. Yet, its one great virtue--protection of the lumbar spine--makes it a maneuver well worth the extra effort.

REMEMBER--


• Make certain that the material is loose.
• Don't overload your shovel.
• Bend your knees and hips.
• Keep your back in reasonably straight alignment.
• Use a long-handle shovel if space permits.

Exercise your back regularly; back conditioning starts with body conditioning. The torso muscles are all interconnected; you must strengthen all of them to help your back. Concentrate on the exercises that strengthen each side equally, for example:low-impact aerobics, high-speed walking, rowing, and swimming. Machines that allow you to simulate rowing, stair-climbing or cross-country skiing at home are useful for back conditioning. Exercises that strengthen the lifting power of the legs can help the back by allowing the legs to do more of the heavy lifting.

Be wary of activities with many sudden changes of directionor unnatural twisting, such as tennis and golf. Even runners may injure their backs, especially if they don't do enough stretching. Tobacco smoking diminishes the supply of oxygen and nutrients to the disks that cushion the vertebra. Thus, smokers are at increased risk of back trouble. Eliminate or at least diminish your use of tobacco; your back will be the better for it.

If you have any questions about this or any other occupational health matter, feel free to ask us. Our job is protecting your health.