[Prevention of spinal injuries at the work place]

Work-related back problems can be induced by a fixed and forced posture, heavy manual labour, climatic factors, and exposure to partial and whole-body vibration. In most cases, a combination of factors are involved. Fixed and forced postures can be avoided by a better arrangement of the workplace and by individual measures. Technical progress has diminished the number of workplaces requiring heavy manual labour. In the remaining jobs, however, appropriate techniques for lifting and back-relief must be taught. Today the prevention of sitting-induced back lesions is very important; the use of adequate chairs and individualized techniques of sitting can be taught. Exposure to vibration can only be reduced by technical measures which neutralize vibration. It is especially important to avoid exposure to vibration in the resonance frequencies of the human spine (3.5-8 Hz).