Back at Work - Interactive Lifting & Back Care Classes

The Back at Work program was developed utilizing the education modules of the highly rated Back Care Program published by Educational Opportunities. The program was adapted and customized for each KSC work group, and is available to NASA and all contractors. The bywords of the Back at Work program are: Education, Ergonomics, Exercise and Awareness.

The training class utilizes slides and an open question and answer format. Pre-test and post-test questionnaires are administered. Heavy emphasis is placed on the active participation by the employees to demonstrate the information. This provides for lively discussion, entertaining examples and an interesting question and answer period. Handouts on various topics are provided for future reference and lastly, evaluation forms are reviewed for program improvements.

The main points emphasized during training are:

1. Back Facts: Statistics and costs, informing the employee just how costly a problem this is both to themselves and to their employer.
2. Basic Anatomy: This section may be the first time the employee ever sees exactly how the discs and the vertebrae interact; and most especially, how everyday movements put stress on a normally healthy spine.
3. Common Causes of Back Problems: With emphasis on the cumulative effect ofmicro-traumas, poor posture and stress to the lumbar spine.
4. Ergonomics and Body Mechanics: The employees are encouraged to try and re-enact a particular work situation; Every attendee practices the different lifting techniques and body mechanic principles.
5. Healthy Back Exercises: Emphasizing the importance of wellness, day to day fitness, and the use of exercises and stretches to counteract the stresses of everyday life on the back.

There currently exists an excellent level of interaction and communication among RehabWorks, NASA SAFETY, OHF, and Industrial Hygiene. This program has a potential of wide-ranging effects on the Kennedy Space Center and its personnel; its primary emphasis - to ensure the physical well being and health of the employees and to promote the fiscal well being and health of the Kennedy Space Center. For more information contact the RehabWorks office at 867-7497.