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According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), back injuries continue to be one of the major health hazards affecting workers today. Back injuries often result in a long-lasting condition requiring medical treatment and often adversely affect a person's lifestyle. The majority of back injury incidents involve lifting, pushing, or carrying. Fortunately, 90% of back injuries are preventable if a person develops and maintains good work habits that avoid placing excess stresses and strains on the back. How the Spine works The spinal system is composed of Each of these structures is subject to injury depending on the type of manual work a person performs and the resulting stress. Disc and spinal cord injuries tend to be the most serious, but ligament sprains and muscle strains can also be painful and debilitating. Risk Factors for Back Injuries · Repetition: The number of stressful back motions made per workday. Most back injuries are considered to be cumulative trauma injuries that are based on the person’s overall history of risk factors. · Force: The weight of the load to be lifted, pushed, or pulled. · Posture: The degree to which the back’s normal curves are “out of alignment” during lifting.
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