One of the most common varieties of injury that workers suffer across many different job sectors are injuries to the back. These can occur in many different work environments, although they are often associated with manual labor jobs.
It is true that those who work with their hands or do a significant amount of heavy lifting on the job are generally more susceptible to back injuries. Even relatively small tasks can cause serious back injury if performed in an unsafe manner.
Workers can avoid many back injuries by simply following wise practices on the job. While these practices do not prevent every back injury, they can mitigate many different kinds of injuries before they can cause harm.
Still, on-the-job back injuries can occur even when a person takes proper precautions. If you do suffer a work-related back injury, be sure to consult with an experienced attorney who can guide you through the claim process and protect your rights as you recover.
Preventing back injuries in the workplace
Often, back injuries begin with poor posture while working at your desk. If you maintain bad posture at your work station, you may already have weak or inflamed lower back support muscles. The weaker these muscles, the more likely you are to receive a back injury.
In many cases, minding your posture is enough to avoid a potential back injury in the workplace. If you worry that your work environment encourages poor posture, you should speak to your superior about changing some aspect of your work chair or your work environment to support better posture habits.
Especially if you have a weak back already, or believe you are particularly susceptible to back injuries, be mindful of any kind of lifting in the workplace. Even relatively small amounts of weight, if lifted incorrectly, may lead to painful back injuries. If you worry about the effects any lifting task may have on your back, don’t hesitate to mention this to your employer.
Your employer may not take your request seriously, but that does not mean you should give up. If your employer does not offer you a safe workplace, you may have grounds to file a complaint with OSHA, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, which regulates employee safety.
An experienced personal injury attorney can help you file proper complaints and identify strategies for protecting your back from injury or pursuing fair compensation if you recently suffered a back injury in the workplace.
