Safety Focused Newsletter: May 2020

This month’s Safety Focused newsletter includes information on protecting yourself from noise hazards and staying safe while working in the rain.

Download the full edition of Safety Focused Newsletter

Managing Back Pain at Work

Whether you’re working from home, in an office or elsewhere, one common ailment that can affect employees across a wide variety of industries is back pain.

Back pain can make it harder to accomplish ordinary tasks at work. Even if you are still able to perform your duties, back pain can make doing so more time-consuming or difficult.

Types of Pain

Back pain is often categorized into these three levels of severity:

• Acute—This type of pain can be mild or severe, and refers to an ailment that may have been caused by an accident or injury. The pain should usually not last longer than seven days.
• Subacute—The pain level for subacute back pain is usually mild, but can occasionally be severe. Subacute problems are usually unrelated to other illnesses and can last a few weeks.
• Chronic—Chronic back pain refers to an ailment that lasts longer than three months. The level of pain can vary, and the condition may be related to other illnesses.

Common Causes

While back pain is a condition that can stem from many different hazards, it is often caused by one of the following factors:

• Repetition—Repeating a specific motion, specifically those involving twisting or bending over
• Force—Putting too much pressure on your back, such as while lifting a heavy object
• Inactivity—Being inactive for long periods of time and then resuming activity

Prevention

In order to prevent or manage back pain, consider the following tips:

• Use proper posture—Whether you spend a lot of time standing at work or you sit at a desk, try to keep your weight balanced evenly and avoid slouching.
• Make adjustments—Modify your work to limit the pressure that is put on your back. Make sure that your desk and chair are adjusted properly and that you are using helpful equipment, such as lifting devices.
• Take a break—If you’ve been on your feet for a long time, give yourself a break. If you’ve been sitting for a prolonged period, take the time to stretch or take a short walk.

Back pain should not be taken lightly. Back injuries can not only make your time at work more difficult, but also significantly diminish your overall quality of life. If you are experiencing back pain, inform your supervisor and talk to a doctor.