The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with acute low back injury among municipal employees of a large city. In-person interviews were conducted to collect data on demographics, work history, work characteristics, work injuries, back pain, psychosocial and work organization, health behaviors, and anthropometric and ergonomic factors related to the job. Risk factors were examined via multivariate logistic regression techniques.
Results suggest that increasing workers' control over their jobs reduces levels of job strain.
Ergonomic strategies and worksite health promotion may help reduce other risk factors.