Reprinted from the ACJ - May, 1996
Fade to light. A fine mist lifts. The archaeological site is teeming with activity. Digging here, sifting there. The date 2996 glows and then fades from the movie screen. We zoom in on our heroes --
"Dr. Jones, over here! I think we found something," Uri shouts in a fatigued voice. Scene change; anthropologists gather around a skeleton, half buried in the mud. Tired workers are squatted down around the find. Looking down into the depression, Dr. Jones attempts analysis.
"Large cranium, strong bone structure. I would guess late twentieth century," he muses. "Maybe it's that `Rad-tor Rep-r' guy."
"We uncovered his name sign out front this morning," Uri adds helpfully.
"Possibly," Dr. Jones continues. "Notice the curvature of the spine, the hunched shoulders, the weak lower lumbar."
A light comes to Uri's face. "Amazing! Twentieth century man was bent over just like a Neanderthal."
"I don't think so," Dr. Jones counters. "My guess is that he didn't read the article on back health by Dave Brown in this ACJ we uncovered yesterday in that one-seat library."
"Brilliant, Dr. Jones. What's in that article anyway," Uri queries.
Back pain is the number one cause of workplace disability in America. It consumes as much as $100 billion per year for treatment. Eighty percent of all Americans will suffer at least one episode of lower back pain in their lifetimes. Is the cause hereditary or environmental? The answer is yes.
Standing upright is not a low-energy activity. It puts a great deal of stress on our backs. Genetic variations and aging cause a degradation of the shock-absorbing discs in our backs. But it is the physical abuse that turns degradation into a disability. Lifting, bending, twisting or extensive sitting, coupled with poor physical conditioning, cause the majority of back problems.
Reality Check: We work in a radiator repair shop. Twisting, lifting, bending, etc. are required activities. So how do we avoid ending up as a bent-over artifact in a museum?
Both workers and management share responsibility for injury prevention. As a shop guy, you must realize that it is your back we are talking about. An injury doesn't just hurt at work. It hurts while fishing, playing catch or watching TV. So it is imperative that individuals take care of themselves.
Studies show that one out of 10 employees are not in adequate physical shape to do their jobs, but 75 percent of all injuries occur in that out-of-shape group. So quick, look around and find one of 10 other guys in worse shape than you. Don't worry, I couldn't do it either. So I guess we could all get in a little better shape.
Realize also that muscle spasms, twinges or cramps signal weak or overused body parts on the edge of failure. Blood flow to our spinal discs slows drastically at about age 20. Exercise and stretching moves fluids to those discs, supplying nutrients and removing waste. Regular exercise like walking, biking, swimming, golf or more conventional workouts not only keep the discs healthy, but also relieve stress and condition your body to expect and handle the Monday-through-Friday repetitive motion. Like taking that problem core in and out of the test tank repeatedly as you try to seal a stubborn tube to header leak.
Massage is another good way to facilitate fluid flow to the spinal area. Assuming that this article may have arrived too late for some of us, like the guy in the muddy pit, keep in mind that exercise, in an easy, lightweight fashion, is beneficial and absolutely necessary to recuperate an already injured back. Ask your doctor for help in this area.
Wearing back support is a double-edged sword. It is very helpful for support when the whole day seems filled with heavy lifting. But it is not a substitute for a well-conditioned back and stomach. So don't use it as a replacement for sit-ups. Another helpful hint: When at the repair bench, raise one foot several inches off the floor on a shelf or platform. This will straighten your back and relieve stress on the discs.
"Excuse me doctor," Uri interrupts, sweat pouring off his brow, "but so far the workers seem to be taking all the criticism. What about management's responsibility?" He grunted and threw down his shovel. Setting down his iced tea and adjusting his newly excavated NARSA baseball cap, Dr. Jones replies, "Well, let me see -- "
Realize that no one wants to be in pain, and management should do all they can to provide a `worker-friendly' shop and keep the employees healthy. Set up the benches and tanks at a height that fits the worker using them. Make them adjustable if workers of various heights are involved. Rotation of shop tasks can help alleviate a harmful and boring repetitive workload.
New workers should be introduced to the physical requirements slowly. Allow them to lift lighter loads and over time build up to bench pressing the locomotive cores. Tag-team the heavy or large loads. Even if it is not heavy, a large radiator is cumbersome and awkward to lift. This may strain your back because of the body position required to lift it
Make it a rule that large, bulky items be lifted by two or more folks. You may lose two minutes of work time, but save two weeks of workman's compensation. Also teach proper lifting techniques: bent knees, straight back, load close to your body, and no twisting or leaning under load. Keep the floor dry to prevent slipping.
"Uri, listen to this," Dr. Jones quips. "Surprisingly, studies show that worker morale is a major factor in injury prevention. Workers who hate their jobs are 2.5 times more likely to suffer back injury on the job!"
A groan and a curse were all that were heard as Uri began pulling dirt back in the hole, covering himself and the `Recore Man.' Fade to black, run credits.
The above article was written by David M. Brown, Chief Engineer of Johnson Manufacturing Company, Inc. and is published by JOHNSON with the expressed approval of the National Automotive Radiator Service Association and the Automotive Cooling Journal. Other reproduction or distribution of this information is forbidden without the written consent of JOHNSON and NARSA/ACJ. All rights reserved.
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Phone 563-289-5123 or Fax 563-289-3825