Document Type
Journal Article
Publisher
CCH Australia Limited
Faculty
Faculty of Computing, Health and Science
School
School of Exercise and Health Sciences
RAS ID
12802
Abstract
The objective of this intervention study was to examine the effect of the mandatory introduction of back belts on the incidence, days lost and cost of occupational low back injuries resulting from manual handling in a retail hardware chain in Western Australia. The pre-intervention period extended for 21 months and included 2,265,933 work hours or 647 full-time equivalent positions, while the intervention period was 32 months for 4,411,352 hours worked or 827 full-time equivalent positions. Workers’ compensation claims for all occupational injuries occurring during the study period were analysed. During the intervention period there was a 14% reduction in the incidence frequency rate for all low back pain claims and a 33% reduction in those low back pain claims resulting in lost time, but neither reduction was statistically significant. The introduction of the back belts was followed by a significant 69% reduction in the average days lost per low back pain claim and a 79% reduction in the days lost to low back pain per hours worked. The average direct cost was reduced by 77% for all low back pain claims and 74% for low back claims resulting in lost time, and 80% and 83% respectively when analysed per hours worked.
Access Rights
free_to_read
Comments
This is an Author's Accepted Manuscript of: Merdith, N., Oosthuizen, J. D., & Nedved, M. (2011). The effectiveness of back belts in reducing the incidence, duration and cost of low back pain claims associated with manual handling injury in a retail hardware chain. Journal of Health, Safety and Environment , 27(1), 63-74.This article is available here