Back Safety

LATICRETE cares about back safety

At LATICRETE, we’ve got your back!

Did You Know?

  • LATICRETE is leading our industry in developing lighter weight product solutions to help mitigate the more than 1 million back injuries construction workers have experienced
  • Back injuries are nearly 20 percent of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace
  • Only the common cold accounts for more lost days of work than back injuries
  • There is some research showing that workers believe they can lift more when wearing a back belt. If workers falsely believe they are protected, they may subject themselves to even greater risk by lifting more weight than they would have without a belt. “The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, therefore, does not recommend the use of back belts to prevent injuries among workers who have never been injured.” 

Process Solutions

Follow these proper lifting/carrying techniques and guidelines written in the Ergonomic Guidelines for Manual Material Handling written by the Cal/OSHA Consultation Service, Research and Education Unit, Division of Occupational Safety and Health, California Department of Industrial Relations. 

When lifting: 

  • Get a secure grip
  • Use both hands whenever possible
  • Avoid jerking by using smooth, even motions
  • Keep the load as close to the body as possible
  • To the extent feasible use your legs to push up and lift the load, not the upper body or back
  • Do not twist your body - Step to one side or the other to turn
  • Alternate heavy lifting or forceful exertion tasks with less physically demanding tasks
  • Take rest breaks 
  • Stretch and strengthen back muscles using the jobsite stretching exercises (download the PDF) outlined by The Hartford®
  • In lieu of PPE (personal protective equipment), the recommendation is to utilize proper stretching and lifting techniques
 

Product Solutions

  • Where available, use lightweight products
  • LATICRETE® lightweight products can be found throughout our product categories. View our product catalogs. 

Resources