Back pain can be excruciating, impeding your ability to get around, work and enjoy your life. While some back pains result from workplace accidents, others develop over time due to unhealthy work habits. If you sustain back injuries at work, it is important that you pursue financial restitution under Iowa workers’ compensation laws.
While you may be eligible for compensation following your work-related back injuries, it helps to understand what causes these injuries and how you can prevent them from happening in the first place.
How back injuries happen at work
When most people think about back injuries at work, the first thing that comes to mind is trauma that is caused by a slip-and-fall accident or heavy lifting. However, most activities put significant strain on workers’ backs leading to injuries over time. Here are some of the common causes of back injuries at work:
- Repetitive motion strains
- Accidents (slip-and-fall and car accidents)
- Lifting heavy objects
- Unsafe machinery and equipment
- Poor ergonomics and posture
- Preventing work-related back injuries
Most back injuries can be prevented by taking these simple steps:
- Modify repetitive tasks. Consider alternating tasks that require heavy lifting with tasks that do not require any lifting. If you spend most of your work hours on a computer, consider taking breaks to stretch or switch work positions.
- Pay attention to your posture. Poor posture subjects the spine and the back muscles to strain resulting in back pain. If your job involves a lot of standing, ensure that you wear the right shoes to avoid exerting excess pressure on your feet, hips and back. And if your job involves sitting for an extended period, ensure that your seat and table are as comfortable as possible.
Back injuries are a major concern in workplaces throughout the United States. Find out how you can pursue the benefits you deserve if you develop back pain at work.
