Common workplace back injuries can result in workers’ compensation claims
As an employee, something that you should always be aware of is how your job could impact your back. Any kind of injury to your back could cause long-term pain and dysfunction that requires many months or years of physical therapy, pain management and surgical interventions.
Most back injuries on the job are a result of insufficient training on the techniques that need to be used in the workplace. Your employer is responsible for safety training and making sure that you and your coworkers understand what you can do to minimize the risk of back injuries and when to report that one has occurred.
Insufficient training is a problem for many workers
While safety training is something that should happen, it doesn’t always involve the level of training that you’d expect. Some may believe that how you lift or carry something is intuitive, but the reality is that there are safer ways to do those actions. Employees should participate in mandatory training courses at the beginning of their employment, so that they learn the right way to lift heavy items or move things that are awkward. Additionally, they should go through safety training regularly, so they’re refreshed on the most important points.
Improper lifting techniques used regularly can wear down the spine. Bad habits mean that back injuries are more likely to happen to employees, and that’s costly for them and their employees.
Cutting down on deadlines helps minimize rushing
Another thing for employers and employees to keep in mind is that rushing plays a role in many of the injuries that happen in the workplace. Having reasonable expectations and deadlines that are realistic will minimize reckless actions, like rushing to finish, when employees are concerned about meeting deadlines at the end of the day.
Prevention is the key to a healthy workforce
At the end of the day, prevention is the key to having a healthy workforce. Workers need to understand when to admit that they’re too tired or when they feel strained, so they can get rest. Employers need to provide training and adequate breaks to prevent exhaustion and injuries.