Strains and sprains are the most common back injuries that result from manual material handling job tasks, such as lifting, carrying, pushing, pulling and bending/twisting. Any job that involves heavy labor or manual material handling may include a high risk for injury on the job. Tasks involving bending and twisting, repetitive motions, carrying or lifting heavy loads, and maintaining fixed positions for a long time may lead to damaged muscles, tendons, ligaments, nerves and blood vessels.
Back belts -- the kind you see workers wear when they lift heavy loads -- don't help avoid injury. Unfortunately, they may also give workers a false sense of security and lead to overexertion. When workers wear back belts, their back muscles don’t have to work as hard. When their muscles don’t work as hard, they get weaker. Weak muscles increase the odds of injuries when back belts are removed. If you use back belts, do not lift loads you would not otherwise lift without a belt. Loosen the belt when not lifting so the muscles get circulation and exercise.
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