Injury Prevention

Do Back Belts Work for Material Handling Jobs?

Neither frequent back belt use nor a store policy requiring back belts was associated with reduced incidence of back injury claims or low back pain, according to the results of a new study.

The study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health involved more than 9,300 workers at 160 newly opened stores owned by a national retail chain. The employees were identified by store management as being involved in materials handling tasks (lifting or moving merchandise). The back belts in the study were the lightweight, stretchable nylon style.

The study found no statistically significant difference in injury rates between workers who reported wearing belts every day or once or twice a week, and those who said they never wore belts or at least not more than once or twice a month.

"A history of back injury was the strongest risk factor for predicting either a back-injury claim or reported back pain among employees, regardless of back belt use," according to the results.