Back Injuries Preventing back injuries is a major workplace safety challenge for any business. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than one million American workers suffer back injuries each year.
Back injuries account for one of every five workplace injuries or illnesses.
Further, one-fourth of all worker's compensation clams involve back injuries, costing billions of dollars on top of the pain and suffering borne by the employees. In the veterinary profession, back injuries occur more frequently than any other kind of injury except bites and scratches, yet few hospitals have taken the time to address the problem with any form of training. This dichotomy often leaves the staff member confused and they assume the priority is on quick task completion instead of timely, safe work practices. That's when accidents happen. No single approach has been found for totally eliminating back injuries, though it is felt that a substantial portion can be prevented by an effective control program and ergonomic design of work tasks.