DHHS (NIOSH) Publication Number 94-127 BACK BELTS--Do They
Prevent Injury? The National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) is part of the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human
Services. NIOSH is the federal Institute responsible for
conducting research and making recommendations for the
prevention of work-related injuries and illnesses. What Is the
Purpose of This Pamphlet? Back injuries account for nearly 20%
of all injuries and illnesses in the workplace and cost the
nation an estimated 20 to 50 billion dollars per year. The
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
believes that the most effective way to prevent back injury is
to implement an ergonomics program that focuses on redesigning
the work environment and work tasks to reduce the hazards of
lifting. However, in response to the increasing human and
economic costs of back injury, companies have implemented
numerous other measures, either in conjunction with or