Back injuries are quite common in just about every workplace. You don’t have to work in construction or some other industry that has you moving around a lot to suffer a back injury. Simply sitting in front of a computer for too long can lead to back problems. Let’s take a look at how you can prevent back injuries on the job.
Training is vital to the health and safety of every single employee. If you are not receiving proper training on the job, you could suffer a back injury. If training is offered and you decide to skip it, you could be hurting yourself should you get injured at work and then try to file a workers’ compensation claim. Make sure you attend training and follow the safety procedures in place.
If you are required to move items around the office, make sure you aren’t doing so in a rush or in frustration. The body tenses up when frustrated, which can lead to muscle issues if you then go to lift an item that is heavy. Slow down, release your tension and move the item when you are sure it won’t lead to an injury.
Along those lines, make sure you are lifting items properly and that aren’t too heavy. Bend at the knees and use your legs to help you lift. Don’t lift items that you know you cannot carry.
If you sit at a desk for most of the day, you need to get up and stretch and walk around every so often. Sitting constantly can lead to back problems that could be with you for the rest of your life.
Suffering a back injury at work can force you to miss time on the job. Make sure you report the injury to your employer immediately, seek medical treatment and then file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits, so you can pay for that treatment and any other bills while missing work.