THE EFFECT OF WORKPLACE BASED STRENGTHENING ON LOW-BACK INJURY RATES - A CASE-STUDY IN THE STRIP-MINING INDUSTRY

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effect of a once a we ek exercise program focused specially at lumbar extensor strengthening . This is a comparative study where workers volunteered to exercise we re compared to workers who did not exercise. Low back claims for one y ear were noted to document efficacy of the training program. Change in strength was also noted. There was a 54% to 104% increase in strength during a 20 week program. The incidence of back injuries in the exerc ise group was .52 injuries per 200, 000 employee hours versus the indu stry average of 1.09 back injuries per 200, 000 employee hours. The av erage incidence of injury far the previous nine years at the company p articipating in the program was 294 injuries per 200,000 employee hour s. The injury incidence in the workers not exercising was 2.55 injurie s for 200,000 employee hours. The average workers' compensation liabil ity dropped from $14, 430.00 per month to $380.00 per month for the st udy year The significant increase in strength associated with the exer cise program correlated with the greatly reduced incidence of back cla ims.