Ergonomics @ Work Manual Labour

1. Ergonomics @ Work • Manual Labour Ontario Chiropractic Associationwww.chiropractic.on.ca  oca@chiropractic.on.ca

2. Manual Labour • Today we will: • Identify the risks for poor spinal health at work • Provide tips on the prevention of work related injuries • Suggest how to improve poor ergonomics

3. Your Back • Your back supports your upper body while protecting • your spine and allowing for flexibility. • Four natural curves to your back: • neck, middle back, lower back • and tailbone • Your spine contains 24 vertebrae • separated by discs to absorb shock, • fluid inside the discs allows movement • Too much of the wrong movement • can cause wear and tear

4. Back Pain Back pain is one of the most common causes of lost time at work: • Low back pain affects 85% of working • population • Over 50% of sufferers find back pain • affects their quality of life and limits • recreational activities

5. What is Ergonomics? • Using scientific information and techniques to position • your body relative to your surroundings to minimize • Physical Stress.

6. Identifying the Risks Common causes of back strain at work: • Lifting heavy/awkward loads • Long periods of standing • Long periods of sitting • Poor posture • Poorly designed work stations • Poorly fitted chair • Computer screens sitting at wrong height or angle

7. Preventative Tips If your job involves physical labour: • Warm up with some stretches before starting work • Lift any heavy or awkward objects properly, using your legs to lift and avoid any twisting • People affected include: • Construction workers • EMS • Movers

8. Preventative Tips • If your job means standing most of the day: • Take mini-breaks and move around for a bit • When working do some easy stretches • People affected include: • Waiters/Waitresses • Cashiers • Factory workers

9. Preventative Tips If your job means that you’re behind the wheel: • Make sure your seat is the proper distance from the wheel • Knees should be slightly bent level to your hips • Seat should be upright and slightly reclined • Headrest should be directly behind your head • People affected include: • Taxi Drivers • Truck Drivers • Bus Drivers

10. Chiropractic Care • Chiropractors use manual therapies to treat neuro- • musculoskeletal disorders, including: • Acute and chronic injuries and conditions • Back and neck pain, sciatica, headaches, chronic pain, osteoarthritis and many more Chiropractors also assist their patients with: nutrition, exercise programs, lifestyle and work habits

11. Chiropractic Care • Chiropractic is a regulated health profession • More than 6,500 chiropractors in Canada • Each year more than 4 million Canadians visit a chiropractor Chiropractors are primary health care professionals.

12. Chiropractic Care • Chiropractors consistently receive among the highest • patient satisfactionratings because patients report: • Chiropractors listen • Chiropractors understand • their condition • Treatment was effective

13. More Information • For further information, please contact my clinic or: • Ontario Chiropractic Association • 200-20 Victoria St., Toronto, ON., M5C 2N8 • Web: www.chiropractic.on.ca • E-mail: oca@chiropractic.on.ca • Phone: 416-860-0070  1-877-327-2273