Do you work as a laborer? For example, maybe you work on a farm. Or maybe you work in a factory.
Regardless of your profession, if it requires manual labor you need to keep your health and well being in mind at all times.
Anybody can be injured at work, even those who sit in an office chair all day long. However, it’s those that work with their hands, such as laborers, who are at the biggest risk of suffering an injury.
Back injuries are extremely common among laborers. Not only can this lead to extreme pain and discomfort, but a serious injury could keep you out of work for an extended period of time.
Fortunately, being aware of the most common causes of back injury may be able to help you avoid a serious situation.
Hera are two common causes that should never slip your mind:
1. Poor lifting technique
If you engage in lifting heavy objects on a regular basis, it’s imperative to use proper lifting technique every time. Remember, it only takes one mistake to cause an injury.
Here are some of the things you should do:
- When lifting, keep your back straight and bend your knees. Never bend at the waist.
- Keep the object as close to your body as possible.
- Never attempt to hold an object lower than knee level or above your armpit.
- If it’s too heavy to comfortably lift, ask somebody else for assistance.
2. Neglecting to pay attention
As somebody who has worked as a laborer for an extended period of time, it’s easy to get lazy from time to time. Unfortunately, this is when bad things often happen.
When it comes to your daily job, anything that could cause injury is something that deserves your full and undivided attention.
If you’re involved in any type of workplace accident, if you suffer any type of injury (such as one to your back), don’t hesitate to do two things:
- Report it to your employer.
- Receive immediate medical attention.
From there, if you’re unable to return to work right away, you may want to file a claim for workers’ compensation benefits.
While you hope to receive benefits without delay, don’t overlook the fact that your claim could be denied. If this happens, find out why and then move forward with the appeal process.
