A large number of injuries in the workplace are caused by manual handling tasks. The majority of these injuries affect the back. However, the hands, arms neck and feet can be affected too. Examples of injuries caused by manual handling tasks can be a cut or bruise or a muscle or ligament sprain.

When a ligament is stretched or torn this causes a ligament sprain. This is usually caused by a direct injury or the sudden twisting of the joint.

You can strain muscles by stretching them too far, causing tiny tears in the tissue. The muscles are then weakened, so they may not be able to hold the bones of your spine in place correctly. The spine becomes less stable, causing lower back pain. If muscles are not allowed to rest and recover during use they become fatigued.

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How is the Back Injured?

Sometimes the back can be injured by just one incident, for example, lifting something too heavy, but usually an injury to the back is the consequence of cumulative misuse.

Cumulative misuse is a term used to describe repeated movements or poor postures whilst carrying out manual handling tasks that, over time, cause injury to your back. Constantly bending and twisting your back whilst lifting, places strain on the back that eventually results in an injury.