Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
asbestos.should.be.removed,.while.asbestos.that.is.in.good.condition.can.be.managed.
in.places.using.enclosures.or.sealants..The.hazard.involved.with.asbestos.should.not.
be.taken.lightly,.as.the.long-term.effects.can.be.disastrous.
BAck InjurIes
Most.of.the.safety.and.health.community.considers.back.injuries.a.one-time.event..
It seems.more.realistic.to.consider.such.injuries.as.caused.by.a.series.of.microtraumas.
(strains.and.sprains).over.time.that.eventually.results.in.what.is.commonly.called.a.
back.injury..This.concept.moves.back.injuries.into.the.realm.of.cumulative.trauma.
disorders..Many.companies.in.the.past.hired.younger.workers.who.may.be.less.sus-
ceptible.to.injury.to.do.continuous.or.repetitive.lifting.task.rather.than.use.older.or.
more. experienced. workers. who. might. be. more. likely. to. be. injured.. These. young.
workers.had.not.had.the.micro-trauma.injuries.that.set.them.up.for.a.back.injury.
At.some.time,.eight.out.of.ten.adults.will.suffer.back.pain..In.the.work.world,.a.
sore. back. is. probably. normal. for. most. workers.. In. most. industries. where. material.
handling.occurs,.back.injuries.are.due.to.overexertion.(see.Figure 23.2).
The.spine.(back).is.like.a.stack.of.kids'.blocks.(vertebrae).supported.by.string,.
wire,.and.sheets.of.plastic.(tendons,.ligaments,.tissues,.and.muscles)..Like.any.mate-
rial,.these.tendons,.ligaments,.and.muscles.are.pulled,.stretched,.and.twisted.as.they.
support.the.back..It.is.no.wonder.that,.when.they.are.not.maintained.or.rested,.and/or.
receive.a.lot.of.strain.or.pressure,.they.are.sprained.or.strained.and.cause.pain..This.
is.why.many.back.injury.cases.require.little.or.no.medical.treatment.other.than.to.
avoid.lifting.and.allow.the.torn.body.tissue.time.to.heal.
FIgure 23.2
Safe.lifting.techniques.can.help.prevent.back.injuries.
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