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# JAN’S ACCOMMODATION FACT SHEET SERIES

**Job Accommodations for People**

**with Back Impairments**

It is estimated seventy-five percent of the population will have low back pain at least once. While most individuals with back pain will recover without invasive treatment, some people have limitations for the rest of their lives. Accommodations can assist individuals with overcoming these limitations. 

The following is a quick overview of some of the job accommodations that might be useful for employees with back impairments. For a more in depth discussion, access JAN's publications at http://askjan.org/media/atoz.htm.  To discuss an accommodation situation with a consultant, contact JAN directly.

**Activities of Daily Living:**

· Allow use of a personal attendant at work

· Allow use of a service animal at work

· Make sure the facility is accessible

· Move workstation closer to the restroom

· Allow longer breaks

· Refer to appropriate community services 

**Fatigue/Weakness:**

· Reduce or eliminate physical exertion and workplace stress 

· Schedule periodic rest breaks away from the workstation

· Allow a flexible work schedule and flexible use of leave time

· Allow work from home

· Implement ergonomic workstation design

· Provide a scooter or other mobility aid if walking cannot be reduced

**Gross Motor Impairment:**

*General*

· Modify the work-site to make it accessible

· Provide an accessible route of travel to other work areas used by the employee

· Modify the workstation to make it accessible 

· Make sure materials and equipment are within reach range

· Move workstation close to other work areas and break rooms 

*Industrial*

· Provide overhead structure for lifting devices

· Place frequently used tools and supplies at or near waist height

· Provide low task chairs, stand/lean stools, and anti-fatigue mats 

· Make wheelchairs, scooters, industrial tricycles, or golf carts available 

· Provide compact lifting devices to push and pull supplies and tools from storage

*Office*

· Provide a height adjustable desk and ergonomic chair

· Move workstation close to common use office equipment

· Provide low task chair and rolling safety ladder 

· Provide a cart to move files, mail, and supplies

· Provide a lazy Susan carousel or desktop organizers 

*Service*

· Provide anti-fatigue mats and stand/lean stools

· Provide a height adjustable desk and ergonomic chair

· Move workstation close to commonly used office equipment

· Provide compact lifting devices to push and pull stock and supplies from shelves

· Provide carts to move supplies and stock

*Medical*

· Provide a spring bottomed linen cart

· Make patient lifting and transfer devices available

· Make wheelchairs, scooters, industrial tricycles, or golf carts 

· Train employees on proper lifting techniques and on proper use of patient lifting and transfer devices

· Provide powered beds for transporting patients

· Provide a height adjustable desk and ergonomic task chairs 

**Resources Specifically for People with Back Impairments**

**National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health**395 E Street SW

Suite 9200

Patriots Plaza BuildingWashington, DC 20201Toll Free: (800)CDC-INFO (800)232-4636

Outside US: (513)533-8328

TTY: (888)2326348Fax: (513)533-832

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/

**Occupational Safety & Health Administration**200 Constitution Avenue, NWWashington, DC 20210Toll Free: (800)321-6742TTY: (877)889-5627http://www.osha.gov

Updated 3/22/10. 

This document was developed by the Job Accommodation Network, funded by a contract agreement from the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Disability Employment Policy (DOL079RP20426). The opinions expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor. Nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Fact Sheet Series

Job Accommodations for People with Back Impairments