Answer to Question 1
Prevention is critical in back safety. Consequently, construction professionals need to know how to establish back safety programs that overcome the hazards of lifting and other activities. The following strategies are essential:
Display poster illustrations. Posters that illustrate proper lifting, reaching, sitting, and bending techniques can be displayed strategically throughout job sites.
Pre-employment screening. Pre-employment screening can identify people who already have back problems when they apply. This is important because more than 40 percent of back injuries occur in the first year of employment and the majority of these injuries are back related.
Regular safety inspections. Periodic inspections of job sites can identify potential problem areas so that corrective action can be taken immediately. Occasionally bringing a worker's compensation consultant in to assist with an inspection can help identify hazards that company personnel may miss.
Education and training. Education and training designed to help employees understand how to lift, bend, reach, stand, walk, and sit safely can be the most effective preventive measure undertaken. Companies that provide back safety training report a significant decrease in back injuries.
Use external services. A variety of external health-care agencies can help companies extend their programs. Identify local health-care-providing agencies and organizations, what services they can provide, and a contact person in each. Maintaining a positive relationship with these external service people can increase the services available to employers.
Map out the prevention program. The first five steps should be written down and incorporated in the company's overall safety and health program. The written plan should be reviewed periodically and updated as needed.
Answer to Question 2
Instruction signs should have a green upper panel with white lettering for the principle message being conveyed. Other parts of the message should consist of black letters on a white background.
Resources related to safety
Elements found in the element cube
Sample Exercise Program for Healthy Older Adults (cont.)
Performance Elements in the Art of Massage
Apply thumb strokes to the back of the hand (knuckle to wrist).
Reverse pull-ups (palms up) from hip to armpit. Reach under the back and pull up with the fingertips ...