Back Health and Safety

1. Back Health and Safety Why is this Important to firefighters?

2. What do you lift?

3. Topics • Injury Statistics • Anatomy • How do back injuries occur? • Injuries • Signs & Symptoms • Diagnosis • Treatment • Rehabilitation • Prevention • Lifting Safety

4. Stats • Injury Rate • 2.9% of 4,411 reported injuries • Based on 2004 NFIRS 5.0 data • 73% occurred on scene • 38% occurred outside the fire building • L&I • 1/3 of all claims • ½ of all insurance dollars collected • Cost • Direct • Lost wages if benefits exceeded • Overtime, above paying injured firefighter • Medical Costs • Time spent investigating incident and filing report • Litigation costs • Indirect • PPE • PPE maintenance • Cost of training • Insurance administrative costs • Return to Work Status • Depends on severity of injury

5. S1 Anatomy • Parts and Pieces C1 - C7 T1 - T12 L1 - L5

6. How do back injuries occur? • Improper lifting technique • Lifting too heavy • Improper weight lifting • Repetitive movements or a • Single event • Bending • Stooping • Lifting / Twisting • Lifting in Awkward positions

7. Injuries • Types • Annular tears • Internal disc disruption • Herniated disc • Facet joint arthritis • Segmental instability • Spinal stenosis • Foraminal stenosis

8. Signs & Symptoms • Low back pain • Pain spreading into the buttocks and thighs • Pain radiating from the buttock to the foot • Back stiffness and reduced range of motion • Muscle weakness in the hip, thigh, leg, or foot • Sensory changes (numbness, prickling, or tingling) in the leg, foot, or toes

9. Diagnosis • X-ray • MRI • Myelogram • Discogram

10. Treatment • Options • Rest • Back brace • Medications • Epidural Steroid Injection (x3 over 12 months) • Physical Therapy • Surgery • Laminectomy • Discectomy • Lumbar Fusion

11. Rehabilitation • Electro-shock therapy • Medications • Pain killers • Muscle relaxers • Physical Therapy • Stretching • Strength training • Job related task analysis

12. Prevention • Exercise • Exercise Safety • Back Safety Principles: Stretching & Strengthening • Proper lifting Technique

13. Exercising Safety • Always assume proper lifting form • Make sure there are no obstructions in the lifting area • Wear proper footwear to ensure stability • Avoid horseplay • Follow a proper progression of weight advancement • Concentrate on your exercises • Use as much resistance as possible without sacrificing proper technique • Stay in control and lift through a full range of motion • Moderate muscle soreness is normal

14. ExercisesStretching / Range of Motion • Hamstrings • Legs/Calf • Hips/Buttocks • Abdominals

15. For the back • Bent Over Row • Transverse Extensions • Roman Chair • Torso Lifts

16. For the legs • Leg press • Leg extensions • Squats • Lunges • Calf raises

17. For the Abs • Crunches • Leg lifts • Leg lift and raise • Planking exercises • Balance / Stability

18. Balance / Stability • Yoga • Stability Ball • Bosu Ball • Any exercise that alters your center of balance • One leg standing row • One leg sissy squats • Toe reaches

19. Proper lifting technique • Size-up • Plan your move • Have a solid base • Bend at the knees • Have a good grip • Lift with your legs • Keep the load close

20. My Back Injury • Injury Occurred on March 31, 2007 (C Shift) • Drilling for JATC @ station 35 • LDH hose lays • Fire hose up a ground ladder • Back bothered me after drill • Worked next day (back bothered me) • Told co-workers that I was having pain • Rested over the next few days • On my third day off could not get out of bed (4/5/07) • Went to OHS Renton to see Dr. Hasanoglu • Drugs • MRI • Assign to light duty April 10, 2007 • Training Division pin cushion Back to shift June 29, 2007