Health & Safety Matters

Back Pain
Back injuries account for 93-million lost work days each year, and treating injuries is a $14 billion industry. "I've never known an avid weightlifter to start benchpressing 250 pounds without first spending a five or ten minutes walking, jogging or stretching," said a Local Business Agent. "Yet if I go to a job site, I see Laborers picking up huge pieces of concrete block or digging a trench, without so much as a simple stretch. It's no wonder so many people strain their backs."

So many back injuries, indeed! In fact, 26% of all construction laborers will sustain back injuries, nearly all from overexertion. That means one out of every four laborers will suffer a back injury. Will you be next? Here's some tips to keep yourself from becoming another back injury statistic.

Have a Plan
• Warm-up exercises before work can help reduce muscle injuries.
• Cut down on carrying. Have materials delivered close to where they will be used.
• Try to store materials at waist height.
• Make sure floors and walkways are clear and dry. Slips and trips are a big cause of back injuries.
• Take rest breaks. When you are tired, you can get injured more.

Get Help
• Use carts, dollies, forklifts, and hoists to move materials — not your back.
• Use carrying tools with handles to get a good grip on wallboard or other odd-shaped loads.
• If materials weigh more than about 75 pounds, do not lift them by yourself. Get help from another worker or use a cart.

Move Carefully
• When lifting or carrying materials, keep the load as close to your body as you can.
• Try not to twist, when lifting and lowering materials. Turn your whole body instead.
• Moderate exercise, suggested by a doctor, can strengthen and loosen muscles.

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