Back health: development of a risk assessment tool

Back injuries are one of the most significant industrial liabilities, resulting in increased absenteeism, costly medical expenses, and often employee disability. The authors present a reliable and valid back health risk assessment tool to measure predisposition for back injuries. The tool was developed with the collaboration of members of a local constituent association. The tool can be implemented by routine interviews with workers. Occupational health nurses can use the tool to diagnose and possibly alleviate back injuries in workers. Use of the tool will help to further define the characteristics for the potential for back injury.