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Document ID (ISN)63273
CIS number 94-2133
ISSN - Serial title 0096-1736 - Journal of Occupational Medicine
Year 1994
Convention or series no.
Author(s) Mitchell L.V., Lawler F.H., Bowen D., Mote W., Asundi P., Purswell J.
Title Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of employer-issued back belts in areas of high risk for back injury
Bibliographic information Jan. 1994, Vol.36, No.1, p.90-94. 9 ref.
Abstract A retrospective survey instrument was administered to 1316 workers who perform lifting activities at an US Air Force base to identify back belt use, lifting requirements, injury, and treatment history. Analysis was also performed on costs applicable to providing the belts, treatment of injury, and lost or limited duty work days. Use of a back belt appears to be marginally effective in reducing injuries when controlling for other related factors. Cost analysis over all diagnoses of low back injury shows less intensive treatment and lower cost per injury for workers injured without a belt versus those injured while wearing a belt. It appears that predictors of low back injury are those expected based on risk assumed and that training programs are effective in prevention of problems. However, costs of injury while wearing a belt are substantially higher than if injured otherwise. Therefore, the benefits of back belts based on these findings do not appear to warrant their use.
Descriptors (primary) manual lifting; ergonomics; back belts; economic aspects; personal protective equipment; backache
Descriptors (secondary) cohort study
Document type D - Periodical articles
Country / State or ProvinceUSA
Subject(s) Occupational physiology
Broad subject area(s) Physiology, ergonomics
Browse category(ies) Diseases of the musculoskeletal system
Economic aspects
Belts, harnesses and lifelines
Personal protection
Ergonomics