Focus on Safety: Keeping Your Employees Safe From Back Injuries

According to the Orthopedic Clinics of North America, 85% of the population suffers from back or neck pain at some point in their lives. And when it happens in the workplace, it can mean significant insurance expenses. From manual labor to desk jobs, back injuries are one of the most common workers’ compensation claims. As a leader, it’s important to ensure you’re working proactively to keep your staff safe and healthy.

Provide safety training
First and foremost, it’s important to have a comprehensive safety policy that emphasizes continual training on techniques to avoid back injuries. It can also be helpful to consult with your employees when developing your safety policies. They may deal with unsafe situations or have concerns you aren’t aware of. Safety training should consist of everything from identifying workplace hazards to instruction on proper lifting techniques.

Invest in ergonomically-designed equipment
Back injuries don’t only occur in workers with manual labor jobs. Employees who sit all day in front of a computer screen can experience back issues as well. Sitting in a static position for long periods of time puts a lot of stress on the back, neck, and shoulders, which can develop into serious back problems over time. Help keep your employees comfortable by investing in ergonomically designed chairs that support the lower back and help put the body into a more natural sitting position.

Provide an allowance for proper footwear
It’s been said that the shoes make the man, but they can also reduce the stress put on the back during a hard days work. Employees who spend a large portion of their day on their feet are at risk of back injuries. From factory workers to bank tellers, proper shoes could mean the difference between a safe employee and a workers’ compensation claim, so it’s a good idea to help ensure your workforce has access to adequate footwear.

Encourage stretching and exercise
One of the best ways to help prevent back pain and injuries is exercise. A routine of core and back exercises combined with stretching goes a long way toward strengthening the muscles that support the spinal column and helps create proper posture. To encourage your employees to engage in preventative exercise, team with a local health club to provide them with reduced membership fees or personal training. Larger companies could even consider building a company gym.

Back injuries can be painful for your employees, as well as potentially expensive for you, the employer. Instilling safe working habits in your workforce, and constantly reinforcing them, is an important step to keeping your employees healthy. An investment in a few preventative measures now could not only save you the frustration of expenses such as increased workers’ compensation and medical insurance premiums, but it also shows your dedication to your workforce.