Back And Shoulder Injuries

1. Back And Shoulder Injuries Common Causes

2. Introduction • Back and shoulder injuries are very common injuries in industry. For example, nationwide there are more than a million injuries due to slip, trip, and fall accidents. The most frequently injured part of the body is the back followed by the wrist, elbow shoulder, ankle, knee, and hip.

3. Slip,Trip And Fall • Slip, trip, and fall accidents result in approximately 11,000 deaths a year and about 300,000 disabling injuries. • Slip and fall injuries are due to slippery surfaces. Grease, oil, water, spills, and some products create conditions conducive to injury.

4. Preventing Falls • In order to prevent falls that cause back and shoulder injuries wear soft rubber soled shoes that are cleated. Maintain good housekeeping by cleaning up spills. Apply sand and other absorbents to increase traction. While designing walkways and other walking surfaces use materials that increase traction.

5. Falls From Equipment Falls from equipment are known as fall to a lower level and can be severe. Causes of falls from equipment may include: • Improper mounting and dismounting • Defective steps, ladders etc. • Muddy/slick conditions • Jumping

6. Preventing Equipment Falls • Always use three points of contact • Inspect and maintain ladders and handholds • Clean shoes prior to mounting or dismounting • Never jump from the equipment

7. Falls From Ramps And Walkways Falls from ramps and walkways may be due to some of the following: • Missing handrails • Slick working and walking surfaces • Poor housekeeping • Poor design, for example, too steep

8. Preventing Falls from Ramps And Walkways • Always replace missing or damaged handrails • Construct walkways from skid resistant materials • Keep walkways clear and clean • Design walkways as gradual and wide as possible

9. Awkward Positions • Many times, especially during maintenance and welding operations, a worker must work from an awkward position due to being confined. When this happens his joints are in an awkward position and are more susceptible to injury.Using the wrong tool for the job complicates this even more when tools slip. Also, never overextend your neck for long periods of time.

10. Conclusion • During a normal work day our body can sustain minor injury to the back and shoulder such as stains, sprains, and bruises. However, injuries could be more severe such as rotator cuff injuries, broken collar bones, ruptured discs and a host of other traumatic injuries. Please use common sense and best work practices to eliminate shoulder and back injuries.

11. Instructor’s Guide • Review any recent accidents involving slip, trip and falls at your operation. • Identify areas of concern. • Solicit possible solutions. • Discuss how weather impacts slip and fall accidents. • Review the quiz.

12. Quiz • Nationwide there are more than a million injuries due to slip, trip, and fall accidents. T or F • The most injured part of the body is the shoulder. T or F • Slip, trip, and fall accidents account for 111,000 deaths per year. T or F

13. Quiz Cont… • Slip, trip, and fall accidents result in about 300,000 disabling injuries per year. T or F • Hard, rubber soled shoes are best for slippery surfaces. T or F • Improper mounting and dismounting is one of the major reasons workers fall from equipment. T or F

14. Quiz Cont… • Always use 3 points of contact when mounting or dismounting equipment. T or F • All walkways should be constructed from skid conducive materials. T or F • Awkward work positions have no influence on back and shoulder injuries. T or F

15. Answers • T 6. T • F 7. T • F 8. F • T 9. F • F