Factors contributing to the development of low back pain in industrial workers

A survey to elicit information on factors related to the causes of low back pain in industrial workers was made. Questionnaires were sent to 1000 workers in various industrial occupations including hospital workers, and 509 responses were received. In this population, back injuries were more frequent among women, as were absences for other illness. Most employees sustaining back injury subsequently returned to their original job. This survey serves as a pilot study indicating areas from which objective results may be obtained and directions of improvement in future questionnaires.