Follow six co-workers as they attempt to make an office documentary on the importance of back safety. Using a humorous approach, Back in Action seeks to engage viewers and keep the material fresh.

Help improve awareness and cultivate individual responsibility when it comes to back safety issues in general industry. This program covers basic anatomy of the back, warning signs of potential injury, risk factors, and most importantly, preventative measures.

Show your employees how proper lifting techniques and a pro-active health regimen can go a long way toward maintaining a properly aligned spine, a strong core and better quality of life. In turn, these could help reduce costs in the future to individuals and your organization.

Intro/Statistics:

• Back injuries can cost businesses more than $12 billion annually in direct costs. (Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index)
• Three out of four injuries to the lower back occur while lifting. (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
• More than one million workers nationwide suffer back injuries each year. (Bureau of Labor Statistics)

Anatomy of the Back:

• The back is comprised of 33 bones called vertebrae. In between each vertebra is a disc. A disc is like a jelly doughnut, tough on the outside and soft on the inside and acts like a hydraulic shock absorber.
• The structure of the bones and discs is designed to be both strong and flexible.
• The spinal cord carries messages from our brain to our muscles. In its neutral position, your spinal cord is curved like an "S". It is important to maintain this S-curve when lifting, sitting, or standing.

Warning Signs:
When it comes to your back, pain is not gain. Pain is a warning sign and should be heeded. Examples include:

• Pain when attempting to assume normal posture
• Pain when standing or rising from a seated position
• Recurrent pain
• Limited range of motion.

Risk Factors:
Risk factors are behaviors and individual variables that put you at risk for back injury. Examples include:

• Frequent repetitive movements
• Awkward positions like twisting or bending while lifting
• Pulling instead of pushing a load
• Age
• Weight
• Overall physical fitness.

Prevention:
Use proper techniques (lifting, sitting, loading). Size up your load. If it's too big, see if you can break it down. Survey your route. Keep your work area free of clutter and all pathways clear. In addition -- good nutrition, overall physical fitness, and stretching exercises can affect the health and mobility of your spine.

Summary:
An incident with your back could have an effect on wages, family time, and quality of life. By understanding the way your back works and the risks and warning signs associated with injury, you can 'take back' your back and stay in action.