Are Backbelts Effective or Not?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, back injuries account for more
than 1 million disabling workplace injuries every year.
OSHA (The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has not recognized
back support belts as a form of personal protective equipment for several years.
According to OSHA, three out of five back injuries are directly to lifting.
OSHA, instead advocates a move toward a "Zero-Lift Environment." A "Zero-Lift
Environment" is one where minimal lifting occurs anywhere in the workplace.
Unfortunately, some work places are not possible for this type of
environment, particularly in heavy manufacturing/retail fulfillment environments.
At All Safety Products, Inc., although we do sell backbelts and still believe
in their effectiveness as an aid to lifting, we do believe the key question to
consider and ask as a company is, "Do we have an effective back injury
prevention program in place?" If you are relying on back supports alone to
prevent back injuries, you are headed for serious trouble.
Check out our safety videos. We sell several correct lifting videos
that are oriented to correct lifting with a back support and some oriented to
correct lifting without a back support.
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