Quantifying relationships between selected work-related risk factors and back pain: A systematic review of objective biomechanical measures and cost-related health outcomes

The objective of this investigation was to use published literature to demonstrate that specific changes in workplace biomechanical exposure levels can predict reductions in back injuries. A systematic literature review was conducted to identify epidemiologic studies which could be used to quantify relationships between several well-recognized biomechanical measures of back stress and economically relevant outcome measures. Eighteen publications, describing 15 research studies, which fulfilled search criteria were found. Quantitative associations were observed between back injuries and measures of spinal compression, lifting, lifting ratios, postures, and combinations thereof. Results were intended to provide safety practitioners with information that could be applied to their own work situations to estimate costs and benefits of ergonomic intervention strategies before they are implemented.Relevance to industryThis investigation uses published literature to demonstrate that specific changes in workplace biomechanical exposure levels can predict reductions in back injuries. Results provide safety practitioners with information that can be applied to their own work situations to estimate costs and benefits of ergonomic intervention strategies before they are implemented.