Free Safety Information
Back Belts - Do they Work? Are they Worth it?
Most of you will have seen these belts, also known as back, kidney or weightlifting belts, being used. They are a popular way of allegedly "reducing" the risk of back injury, even though the supposed benefits are not fully supported by research.
You should not use back belts as the only method of controlling the risk of manual handling injuries - it is much more effective to use workplace and task redesign to reduce manual handling hazards.
Using a back belt has the following advantages and disadvantages:
Advantages:
- reduces the forces on the spine due to the increased pressure created by the belt (but research indicates this reduction is smaller than originally believed)
- increases feeling to the waist and back which improves movement coordination
- limits bending and twisting.
Disadvantages:
- muscles can waste from using a belt - weak muscles create a greater risk of injury
- belts generate heat and may cause discomfort
- increased risk of injury when the belt is not used due to weakened muscles or the worker becoming accustomed to the belt
- may create problems in other joints not designed for heavy loads by increasing movement in these areas
- can increase blood pressure - belts may be a high risk for people with cardio-vascular conditions
- workers may attempt to lift heavier loads because the belt gives them a false sense of security
- the effectiveness of a belt depends on the ability to fit it properly and wear it when actually doing lifting work
Back belts may be helpful in reducing back injury but only if:
- they are used in conjunction with longer term measures like job redesign
- workers are trained in correct belt use and their possible detrimental effects
- belts are fitted and worn correctly
Back belts are not recommended as the sole method of decreasing workplace back injuries. They contribute minimally, if at all, to back injury reduction and may even at times be detrimental. Job redesign and engineering controls are more effective.
Bottom Line: Back belts may make you feel good, but if you don't lift correctly they will not prevent a back injury. The conclusion is obvious. First of all try to reduce the amount of manual lifting that has to be done by task redesign or engineering methods. Next, if your people still have to lift then teach them how to do it correctly.
AchieveSafety - www.achievesafety.com
